Robbery cases involve the perpetrator obtaining the property of someone else through the use of intimation, threat, or force. In armed robbery cases, the perpetrator uses or presents a deadly weapon for the purpose of getting a victim to comply. The perpetrator does not even have to show the weapon to be charged with armed robbery, they simply have to have it in their possession. In fact, the perpetrator may not even have a weapon but behaves as if they do by making threats to use a weapon. In that case, the person could still be charged with armed robbery because the victims were in fear that a weapon would be used against them if they did not comply.
In all robbery cases the crime is a felony. However, armed robbery is considered as a higher degree or severity of crime than robberies committed without the use or threat of a weapon. In most armed robbery cases, guns are the weapon of choice for criminals intent on stealing their victims’ property.
Armed robbery statistics indicate that the crime is on the rise across the United States. In fact, violent crimes in general are on the rise. There are several factors that influence crime rates. First, hard economic times in the country have included a rise in many types of crime, including violent crimes and property crimes. In addition, some sociologists attribute the rise in crime to the prevalence of violence in the entertainment industry. When violence is repeatedly viewed, people tend to see it as a more acceptable manner of getting what they want. In addition, victims are reporting crimes at a higher rate than in the past.
These factors, in combination with other intervening factors, have contributed to a rise in crime across the United States. In response, many jurisdictions are attempting to raise the minimum sentences for violent crimes as prescribed in sentencing guidelines.
Robbery cases are prosecuted according to their severity. The severity or degree of a crime is determined using several factors. If anyone is injured or killed during a robbery, the crime is charged with the highest severity and the offender will generally get the maximum sentence allowed by law. In addition, robbery cases that include a weapon are also prosecuted at a higher level than robberies that take place in the absence of a weapon.
Also, armed robbery that takes place at a financial institution such as a bank or credit union will be prosecuted in Federal court. While there are many types of robbery, and each type can be subject to differing sentences, robbery is always considered a serious and violent crime. Due to the nature of robbery, suspects that are convicted of the crime generally face at least five years in prison.