Armed Robbery

Attorneys Representing Criminal Defendants in St. Petersburg and Elsewhere

At Blake & Dorsten, P.A., our seasoned criminal defense attorneys represent clients in Tampa Bay and throughout the region charged with a variety of criminal offenses, including armed robbery and other violent crimes. Being charged with a crime in Florida is a serious situation that can come with significant consequences, both for you and for your loved ones. Our St. Petersburg armed robbery lawyers draw on our experience as former prosecutors to help clients protect their rights and liberty. That means taking an aggressive and proactive approach, fighting to get charges dropped or reduced as early as possible in the process.

Defenses in Armed Robbery Cases

A robbery happens in Florida when one person takes money or other property from another person with the intent to permanently deprive the victim of the money or property. Armed robbery, as the name suggests, is when the person committing the crime carries a firearm or other deadly weapon. In other words, you can be convicted of armed robbery even if you don’t actually produce the weapon during the incident, as long as you are “carrying” it. Armed robbery is a first degree felony, punishable by up to $10,000 in fines and as much as life in prison.

The good news for a person charged with armed robbery and other crimes in Florida is that there are a number of available defenses under federal and state law. First and foremost, the burden is at all times on cops and prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime with which you have been charged. That’s a higher bar than simply showing that it’s likely you committed the crime or that you probably did it. Much of the defense work in a criminal case involves poking holes in the prosecution’s evidence to show that they can’t prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Some of the defenses in armed robbery cases are the same as those in standard robbery cases. A person isn’t guilty, for instance, if he or she proves that the property allegedly “stolen” actually belonged to the person charged with the crime. Similarly, a person can avoid a conviction if he can show that he didn’t intend to permanently deprive the victim of the property. Questions also often arise about whether the weapon involved in any incident actually qualifies as a deadly one.

Consult an Experienced Armed Robbery Defense Attorney in St. Petersburg

At Blake & Dorsten, P.A, our St. Petersburg armed robbery defense lawyers are committed to providing comprehensive legal services for the clients that we represent. We understand the legal issues that often come up in armed robbery cases. Our firm has a strong track record of results in armed robbery and other cases, including sexual assault, domestic violence, and drug offenses.

Our offices are conveniently located in Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and we gladly serve clients throughout the region. That includes Tampa, Sarasota, Brandon, Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Bradenton, as well as Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota and Lee Counties. Call us at 727-286-6141 or contact us online to make an appointment to discuss your case with an attorney.