Robbery in Seattle

Robbery is legally distinct from theft and burglary because it involves force or the threat of force. While theft typically is when you unlawfully take property without confrontation, and burglary is unlawfully entering a building to commit a crime, robbery directly involves the victim. Thus, it is a much more serious charge, often classified as a violent crime under Washington state law.

Our experienced Seattle defense attorneys understand the complexities of robbery charges and how they differ from other property crimes. We’ve successfully defended clients in Seattle and throughout King County against allegations of first-degree and second-degree robbery. Whether it’s challenging evidence, proving a lack of intent, or disputing claims of force or threats, we will fight to protect your rights. If you’re facing robbery charges, call our law offices today for a free consultation.

Robbery charges carry life-altering penalties and require a strong defense. Prosecutors in Seattle courts aggressively pursue robbery cases, often seeking the highest penalties under Washington state law. Our experienced attorneys who specialize in robbery defense will help you:

• Challenge the prosecution’s evidence
• Disprove the intent to use force
• Negotiate for lesser charges
• Seek reduced penalties or alternatives
• Protect your rights throughout the legal process

If you’re facing robbery charges, contact our legal team for a free consultation. With over 20 years of experience defending felony cases in Western Washington, our King County defense lawyers know how to fight robbery charges.

Robbery in Washington state is a serious felony offense governed by Washington state law, with penalties varying based on whether it is classified as first-degree robbery or second-degree robbery. Both are treated as violent crimes and carry significant legal consequences:

First-Degree Robbery: First-degree robbery is the more severe offense and is charged when:

• The perpetrator has a deadly weapon.
• The crime causes bodily injury to the victim.
• The robbery occurs during or near the commission of another violent crime, such as a carjacking or home invasion.

Penalties:

• Classified as a Class A felony
• Up to life in prison
• Fines of up to $50,000
• Sentencing enhancements if the perpetrator uses a firearm, adding additional mandatory prison time
• Inclusion on a violent felony record impacts employment, housing, and other areas of life.

Second-Degree Robbery: Second-degree robbery applies when the perpetrator uses force or intimidation to take the property, but the circumstances do not meet the criteria for first-degree robbery (e.g., no weapon or serious injury).

Penalties:

• Classified as a Class B felony
• Up to 10 years in prison
• Fines of up to $20,000
• Mandatory restitution to the victim

Additional Consequences:

• Permanent Criminal Record: A robbery conviction remains on your record, severely limiting opportunities for employment, housing, and education.

Beyond the direct legal penalties, robbery convictions may result in the loss of voting rights and the inability to possess firearms. Further, robbery convictions count as strikes under Washington’s “Three Strikes” law, potentially leading to life imprisonment without parole after three violent felony convictions.

Robbery charges in King County are serious and require a solid defense plan. With over 20 years of experience in Western Washington courts, our Seattle-based law firm knows which arguments resonate with local judges and prosecutors. This allows us to challenge these charges effectively. Here are some of the defenses our robbery defense attorneys will explore for your case:

• No Actual Threat Or Force Used: We’ll challenge whether force or a credible threat was truly involved. For example, verbal disputes or misunderstandings during property disputes don’t necessarily constitute robbery.
• Claim Of Right Defense: If you believed you had a legal right to the property taken, we could argue that this negates the criminal intent required for robbery.
• Weapon Allegations Are False: In first-degree robbery cases, we challenge claims about the presence or use of a deadly weapon, arguing that any alleged weapon was not real or not involved in the crime.
• Intent To Use Force Occurred After The Fact: If force was applied only after the alleged theft, we can argue that the crime is theft, not robbery, which carries less severe penalties.
• Witness Testimony Conflicts: We scrutinize conflicting or unreliable witness accounts, particularly in chaotic settings like crowded streets or stores.
• No Evidence Of Immediate Presence: Robbery requires the property to be taken from the victim’s immediate presence. If the property was unattended or out of reach, we argue that the prosecution has not met the elements of robbery under Washington state law.

In King County, where judges and prosecutors evaluate robbery cases with heightened scrutiny, having local Seattle attorneys who know how to present these defenses is critical. Contact our skilled robbery defense lawyers in Seattle and let us craft a strong strategy tailored to your case.

We are local attorneys with extensive experience defending clients against robbery charges in Western Washington. Our Seattle-based team has handled cases ranging from first-degree robbery involving weapons in Capitol Hill to second-degree robbery stemming from altercations at downtown Seattle businesses. We’ve successfully defended clients accused of robbery at retail stores in Northgate, purse snatching near Pike Place Market, and allegations of strong-arm robbery in Rainier Valley. Our expertise also includes challenging, complex robbery cases tied to accusations of organized crime in South Lake Union and cases involving juveniles in the U-District.

Robbery is a serious charge under Washington state law, carrying severe penalties. We know the Seattle community and the King County legal system. Whether your case involves a misunderstanding, mistaken identity, or overcharged allegations, we believe every robbery charge deserves to be challenged. Our Seattle robbery defense attorneys will thoroughly investigate the evidence, build a strong defense, and explore all possible options to reduce or dismiss the charges. Call our experienced defense team today for a free consultation.

Simply stated, robbery is defined as taking personal property from someone else against their will by using intimidation or force. It doesn’t matter where you live, robbery is a serious crime, and Seattle is no different. Robbery and theft are sometimes confused but in Seattle, robbery indicates that violence and intimidation were used during the crime. If there is a weapon wielded during the robbery, the penalties can be even more severe.

You do not want to take any undue risks if you’ve been charged with a Seattle robbery. You could be facing serious prison time, sometimes for life, so contact one of our Seattle robbery lawyers as soon as you possibly can.

If you or someone you love has been charged with a Seattle robbery, then there is obviously a lot of emotion involved in the situation. This is a huge challenge to overcome, so it makes good sense to have experienced Seattle robbery attorneys aggressively fighting to minimize the damage as much as possible.

One of the first things people charged with Seattle robbery want to know is what might happen to them. Certain elements must apply for a crime to be considered a robbery, and these include both intent and the actions of the accused party. However, a person can only be charged with a Seattle robbery if they intend to take property during the act and force or intimidation was used at that moment.

There are numerous subtleties that can come into play, and this is why it’s so important you have skilled Seattle robbery lawyers fighting on your behalf. Jason S. Newcombe is a skilled Seattle litigator who is highly trained to distinguish these subtleties and use them to his client’s advantage.

In Seattle, robbery is also broken down into classifications depending on the nature of the crime. Armed robbery involves the use of a weapon, such as a gun, in an act of force against the victim. An armed robbery is likely to take place in a bank, privately owned store, or in a person’s home. When there is use of a deadly weapon such as a knife or gun, or bodily harm is inflicted, then this is called an aggravated robbery in Seattle. Punishment in these cases is even more severe than a regular Seattle robbery.

Attempted robbery in Seattle is the charge when the effort results in failure. Still, it is possible that the case will be treated the same as a regular Seattle robbery when it goes to trial. Our Seattle robbery lawyers can handle your case no matter what the circumstances or severity of the charge. The first step you need to take is to contact them so that they can accurately assess your robbery situation, and get started creating an aggressive defense designed to minimize the damage as much as possible.