Armed Robbery
If you have been accused of armed robbery, you may face serious penalties, including jail time. Therefore, it is essential to seek help from a New Orleans criminal defense lawyer. Under Louisiana law, armed robbery carries a potential sentence of 10 to 99 years.
With such high stakes, you need a New Orleans criminal defense lawyer who has handled armed robbery cases in the past and who has experience negotiating plea agreements and developing an aggressive defense strategy. At J.C. Lawrence and Associates, our capable New Orleans criminal defense attorneys have the practical knowledge and skills to represent you effectively in armed robbery cases.
Why You Need a New Orleans Criminal Defense Lawyer in Armed Robbery Cases
In Louisiana, armed robbery is defined as taking anything of value from another person by using a gun, knife or other deadly or dangerous weapon to intimidate or force them to give you the item. Robbing a store using a gun, mugging someone with the threat of a knife and entering a home to steal items while possessing a gun can all constitute armed robbery.
The jail sentence you face as a result of an armed robbery conviction will vary depending upon whether you have a past criminal history, especially convictions involving violent offenses. Additional consideration will be given to the weapon involved, whether any injuries occurred, what was stolen and the value of the stolen items. Armed robbery is considered a violent offense, the consequences are serious and a conviction carries a minimum sentence of ten years. This means that you will serve time in jail if you are found guilty.
A skilled New Orleans criminal defense lawyer may be able to help you avoid conviction. Competent defense lawyers can contradict the evidence against you to show that the prosecutor did not meet the burden of proving you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Other potential defenses include establishing that you were not the person who committed the robbery, you were not armed or you were falsely accused. A New Orleans criminal defense lawyer can help you to explore all possible options for defending yourself and avoiding conviction.
Depending on the circumstances, your best option may be to negotiate a plea bargain to reduce the severity of the charges and penalties. For example, you may be able to plead guilty to a lesser offense that does not carry a minimum ten year prison sentence. A New Orleans criminal defense attorney can advise you on whether a plea bargain is a wise choice and can help you to negotiate a plea deal.
Contact a New Orleans Criminal Defense Attorney for Help with Your Armed Robbery Defense
All criminal charges are serious, but it is especially important to hire an experienced lawyer when you face a charge like armed robbery that carries a mandatory minimum sentence. If you want to have the best chance of avoiding the next ten years to the rest of your life in prison, contact a New Orleans criminal defense attorney as soon as possible when under investigation for armed robbery.
At J.C. Lawrence and Associates, our New Orleans criminal defense lawyers are uniquely qualified to assist. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help build a strong defense to your armed robbery charges.