New Hampshire Armed Robbery Lawyer
Robbery is a crime that the justice system always takes seriously. If the robbery was accomplished using a weapon, the potential penalties can be much greater. If you are facing this charge, you need advice from experienced robbery attorneys who will always go the extra mile to defend their clients. Armed robbery is an action that involves theft of property and the carrying of a weapon. Armed robbery is differentiated from other forms of theft (such as burglary, shoplifting or car theft) by its inherently violent nature. New Hampshire armed robbery lawyers have seen many lesser forms of theft punished as misdemeanors, but armed robbery is always a felony.
Defining Armed Robbery
Robbery is considered a felony of the first degree if, in the course of committing the theft, an individual inflicts serious bodily harm on another individual or intentionally puts someone in fear of being physically harmed. New Hampshire armed robbery lawyers have seen this type of robbery offense generally requires the use of a weapon during the theft.
A person does not need to actually have a weapon on their person to be charged with armed robbery. Instead, the alleged robber just has to claim to have a weapon or possibly give the appearance of having a weapon to be charged with armed robbery. When someone commits the crime of robbery in a home, the state calls this “armed burglary” or “armed home invasion,” which can lead to a sentence of life in prison.
False Identifications
Many of these types of cases come down to whether those who experienced the robbery can identify the perpetrator. Sometimes police officers use suggestive techniques to steer a witness into identifying a suspect they believe committed the crime. Certain Constitutional provisions and rules of evidence can allow a defense attorney to exclude an improper identification that may have taken place. If the motion to suppress the identification is allowed by the court, it may leave the state with no case against the defendant. A New Hampshire armed robbery lawyer can help disprove all the elements of the prosecution’s case for beyond a reasonable doubt.
Some of the key questions that must be raised are:
- What evidence do they have that the alleged crime was done on purpose?
- Is any of the testimony hearsay, which is inadmissible in court?
- Did the police have probable cause to take the actions they took?
- Were any searches conducted in compliance with the requirements of the US and the New Hampshire Constitutions?
Prosecutors will often put up a tough front at first, but when confronted with aggressive advocates, they show a willingness to cut a deal.
Potential Defenses for Armed Robbery
To successfully defend against federal criminal charges, defendants need counsel who have fought and won in the criminal courts before, and who can take on an opponent with the overwhelming resources of the state. Police forces can make mistakes and accuse the wrong person. Even a defendant who did commit the crime is entitled to vigorous representation so that the court can consider all possible mitigating factors.
An individual and their New Hampshire armed robbery lawyer do not have to prove they did not commit the crime. Prosecutors have to prove they did commit the crime. New Hampshire armed robbery attorneys will listen to your story without judgment. The important thing is that you receive the protections you are entitled to under the Constitution and any other applicable laws.