Strong-arm robbery is a second degree felony, punishable by a maximum of
15 years in prison. It is a serious felony because an essential element
of the charge is the allegation that a person was robbed by force or threat.
The State Attorney's Office will no doubt represent the interests
of their alleged victim to the fullest extent possible. As a
former Miami-Dade prosecutor, I know that alleged victims are always consulted by prosecutors, and
if the alleged victim wants to see the accused in prison, the State Attorney's
Office will seek prison, even on a first-time offender.
Strong-arm robbery does not carry any mandatory prison time unless you
have been designated as a Career Criminal (HVO,
PRRP, etc...).
Penalties can range from Pretrial Intervention (PTI) all the way up to
a lengthy prison sentence.
Many different types of unarmed robbery can be considered strong-arm robbery.
For instance, it is strong-arm robbery to walk into a bank with a note
claiming that you have a gun in an effort to take money. While no force
was used, there was still a threat issued for the purpose of obtaining property.
On the more extreme side, it is also strong-arm robbery to beat a person
physically in an effort to gain their property.
If the alleged victim is injured, additional charges such as aggravated
battery may follow.
Strong-arm robbery is a charge that
CANNOT BE SEALED if you plead guilty and receive a withhold of adjudication.
Remember that, and discuss this with your
Miami-Dade County criminal defense attorney before considering pleading guilty. You will be stuck with a criminal
record of a robbery for the rest of your life.
Strong-arm robbery is taking seriously by the State, and it should be taken
seriously by you if charged. It is also a bondable offense, however, so
you will be able to get out of jail pending trial.
I practice criminal defense in Miami-Dade and Broward. If you are facing
strong-arm robbery charges,
call me today to discuss the best way to defend you against these charges.