Experienced criminal defense attorneys can defend against any type of criminal charge—even violent offenses such as armed robbery. Armed robbery occurs when someone uses intimidation, threats of using force, or actual force to take property from another person while armed with a deadly weapon. Note that the weapon doesn’t have to be a firearm, but can be a knife or any other dangerous instrument that can cause serious harm.
An armed robbery conviction in Connecticut can mean a minimum of five years in prison, with the possibility of a longer sentence depending on the allegations against you. You need an attorney in your corner who knows how to defend against this type of serious charge and protect your interests.
Possible Defenses
An experienced defense attorney will carefully review every detail of your case and the evidence against you to identify any ways to defend against armed robbery charges and limit the consequences you face. The following are only some possible defenses to armed robbery.
You are innocent. Many people come to us stating that they’ve simply been wrongfully accused and that they’re not the person who committed the crime. In such cases, we’ll investigate every possible circumstance that led to the wrongful charges and seek every possible piece of evidence to support your innocence. Some ways to prove innocence include:
- Presenting evidence of an alibi. If you were somewhere else, you were not the armed robber.
- Showing that any identifications—show-ups, photo lineups, or in-person lineups—were prejudicial and unreliable.
- Challenging the veracity of any witness testimony. When people are robbed, they are under severe stress and may inaccurately remember what happened.
The prosecutor cannot prove all elements of the charge. To convict you of armed robbery, a prosecutor must prove that you (1) intentionally took something from another person (2) in their presence (3) by using violence or threats of violence (4) while armed with a deadly weapon.
If the prosecutor cannot prove any of those elements beyond a reasonable doubt, you can’t be convicted of armed robbery and may have your charges reduced to a lesser offense or completely dropped. If you had a weapon but did not use it or threaten to use it, a lesser degree of robbery may be a more appropriate charge. Perhaps the “deadly weapon” you had was a toy gun that wasn’t so “deadly” or dangerous at all. Also, if you possessed a firearm, but it was not capable of actually firing, you may have an affirmative defense. Our defense lawyers have different ways to show the prosecutor doesn’t have sufficient evidence to prove each element of armed robbery.
You were forced to commit the robbery. In some cases, third parties may threaten to hurt or kill you if you don’t commit a robbery for them. This is common in gang-related activity or similar circumstances. Your attorney can work to demonstrate that the offense was only committed under serious duress, so you shouldn’t be found guilty of the offense because you wouldn’t have otherwise committed such a crime.
The above are only some defenses that may lead to an acquittal or reduced charges in your armed robbery case. Your attorney can also negotiate with the prosecutor to reach a plea deal in your favor. Agreeing to a plea bargain isn’t right for everyone, and you should discuss this option carefully with your attorney.
Call Our Connecticut Armed Robbery Defense Attorneys Today
At Koffsky & Felsen, LLC, we’ve represented many clients facing allegations of violent crimes, such as armed robbery. We’ll always explore every option in every case to ensure our clients get the best results possible. If you’d like to speak to one of our experienced Connecticut criminal defense lawyers about your arrest or charge, please call (203) 327-1500 or contact us online today.
