Robbery – Williamsville & Buffalo, NY

Have you been charged with robbery? Don’t wait. Call now.

Robbery is the most serious property crime because it is a crime against a person or people.  

You do not want a robbery conviction. It could affect the rest of your life. 

For more than 25 years, attorney Norman Mattar has defended people accused of theft crimes, including robbery, in Buffalo and Western New York.  

He offers a free initial consultation on your case. 

What is the difference between robbery, theft, and petit larceny? 

Robbery is taking someone’s property by force. The most common objects taken are cell phones, iPads, and other electronic devices. But you can be charged with robbery for taking an item of nominal value.  

Unlike petty larceny, which is a misdemeanor, robbery is a felony, regardless of the value of the item taken. Petit larceny is the least severe type of theft in New York but is not insignificant. The penalty is one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both. So don’t ignore this offense or assume you can handle it on your own.  

What are the penalties for robbery? 

The penalties for robbery can be severe, especially if you use a weapon or cause someone serious injury. 

New York has three kinds of robbery: 

A person who forcibly steals something is guilty of robbery in the third degree, a Class D non-violent felony. This is the least serious form of robbery in New York. A conviction can bring two to seven years in prison. 

A person who commits a robbery with someone else while carrying a deadly weapon and injures an innocent person in the process is guilty of robbery in the second degree. A Class C violent felony, this crime is punishable by three and a half to 15 years in prison. 

Someone commits first-degree robbery if he or she 

  • is armed with a deadly weapon; 
  • uses or threatens to it or another dangerous instrument; and  
  • seriously injures someone not complicit in the crime. 

This is a Class B violent felony punishable by as little as five years in state prison, if the person convicted is a first-time offender with no prior criminal history, and as much as 25 years in prison. 

What are some defenses for a robbery charge? 

There is always something an experienced defense lawyer can do to minimize the potential consequences that you face. We carefully evaluate a case to determine if the District Attorney has enough evidence to prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. If the state only has the word of one person against another, this can be difficult to do.  

You should never plead guilty to robbery charges without first discussing your case with a lawyer. 

If you have been charged with robbery, call now to set up a consultation. 

To defend robbery charges in New York, call 716-633-4300 to discuss your case with defense lawyer Norman Mattar.