We help people in their teens and twenties navigate robbery charges in the criminal justice system. If you or a loved one has been charged with robbery in Cherokee County, GA, or any of the surrounding areas, contact our office immediately to get help.
Are You Facing Robbery Charges in Cherokee County?
In Georgia, robbery is defined as taking property from another person or from their immediate presence with the intent to commit theft. What separates robbery from other theft crimes is that it involves taking directly from a person or their immediate presence through one of three methods:
- By use of force – Physically taking property from someone
- By intimidation – Using threats, coercion, or placing someone in fear of bodily injury
- By sudden snatching – Quickly taking property directly from someone’s person
Robbery is always charged as a felony in Georgia, regardless of the value of what was taken. This makes it significantly more serious than other theft offenses, which may be misdemeanors depending on the value involved.
Many young adults don’t realize that what might seem like a momentary bad decision—grabbing someone’s phone, threatening someone to hand over property, or even participating as a lookout during such an incident—can result in serious robbery charges with life-altering consequences.
Penalties for Robbery in Georgia
Georgia law imposes strict penalties for robbery convictions:
- Standard robbery carries 1-20 years in prison
- Robbery against a person 65 years or older carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison, up to 20 years
These penalties are just the beginning. A robbery conviction also means:
- A permanent felony record
- Difficulty finding employment
- Challenges with housing applications
- Loss of civil rights, including gun ownership
- Potential impact on child custody matters
- Barriers to educational opportunities
For young adults, these consequences can be particularly devastating, potentially derailing educational plans, career aspirations, and personal relationships at a critical stage of life.
Facing robbery charges in Cherokee County or one of the neighboring areas? Time is not on your side. It’s time to act now. Contact us today.
Common Scenarios Leading to Robbery Charges for Young Adults
Young adults often find themselves facing robbery charges in situations they didn’t expect would lead to such serious consequences:
- Peer Pressure Incidents: When a group of friends decides to take something from someone, even those who didn’t physically take the item can be charged as parties to the crime.
- Social Media Meetups: Arranged meetings to buy/sell items that turn into robberies when one party decides to take the item or money by force.
- Substance-Related Incidents: Situations where impaired judgment leads to poor decisions about obtaining money or property.
- Mistaken Identity Cases: Being in the wrong place at the wrong time or matching a general description can lead to false accusations.
- Escalated Conflicts: What begins as an argument can escalate to robbery charges if property is taken during the incident.
It’s important to understand that Georgia law doesn’t require a weapon to be involved for a robbery charge. Even implied threats or minor uses of force can lead to robbery charges instead of lesser theft offenses.
How Robbery Differs from Other Theft Crimes
Robbery vs. Theft
- Theft involves taking property without permission
- Robbery requires taking from a person or their immediate presence using force, intimidation, or sudden snatching
Robbery vs. Burglary
- Burglary involves entering a structure to commit theft or another felony
- Robbery involves taking directly from a person
Simple Robbery vs. Armed Robbery
- Simple robbery involves force, intimidation, or snatching
- Armed robbery involves using an offensive weapon or replica (and carries even harsher penalties)
Understanding these distinctions is crucial, as the defense strategies and potential consequences differ significantly.
Our Approach to Robbery Defense
Our approach to defending your robbery charges entirely depends on your goals.
While some law firms will tell you they have a particular way of handling every case, we won’t do that. The strategy that is developed for your case must be in alignment with your short-term and long-term goals. If we determine that it makes sense for you and our team to work together, then we will spend time getting to know and understand your goals.
When you work with our Cherokee County robbery defense team, we start by learning:
- Where you are in life right now
- What your plans are for your future
- Your specific goals for this case
- How this situation could impact your life in both the short and long term
Our defense strategies for robbery cases may include:
Challenging the Elements of the Crime
- Was there actually an intent to commit theft?
- Was force or intimidation used?
- Was the property taken from the person or their immediate presence?
Examining Identification Evidence
- Were proper procedures followed in any lineup or photo array?
- Are there reliability issues with witness identifications?
- Is there conflicting evidence about who was involved?
Investigating Mitigating Circumstances
- Is this a first offense?
- Were there factors that should be considered in any plea negotiations?
- Can we present evidence of character and future potential?
Exploring Alternative Resolutions
- For first-time offenders, are there diversion options?
- Can we negotiate for reduced charges?
- Are there treatment-based alternatives that address underlying issues?
Why Young Adults and Parents Choose Our Firm
Our firm focuses specifically on defending people in their teens and twenties because we understand the unique challenges they face in the criminal justice system. When it comes to robbery charges, clients and their families choose us because:
- We understand what’s at stake for a young person’s future
- We have specific experience with Cherokee County courts and prosecutors
- We recognize that young people deserve second chances
- We develop personalized strategies based on each client’s unique goals
- We communicate clearly throughout the process
- We consider not just the legal aspects, but how the case affects the whole person
Take the Next Step — Learn How We Can Help With Your Robbery Case
If you or someone you care about is facing robbery charges in Cherokee County, contact our legal team to see if we can help. Meet with a member of our team to learn what your best next steps are.
The prosecution is already building their case against you. Don’t wait to get help. Take the next step to protect your future. Call our office now to get started.
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