Robbery crimes seem to be on the rise. In a recent report for robbery in Washington D. C., it was shown that there have been almost 600 robberies in the area since January 1, 2012. This figure is up 30 percent from what it was last year—and the year is not even two full months underway. The reason for this significant rise in robbery is unknown, and it is causing some discomfort in the residents of the D.C. area. In fact, the police have arrested 150 people on charges of robbery. While citizens are glad that the police are alerted to the issue, they nevertheless feel uneasy about the obvious increase in alleged criminal activity.
Legally speaking, robbery occurs when a person overpowers another person—or somehow imposes upon a person in a harmful way—to take something that does not belong to him or her. For a defendant to be convicted of robbery, there are four aspects that must be successfully proven. First, the alleged robber must have taken an item from the person to whom it belongs. Second, the owner of the item must have not consented to the action. Third, the robber must have been proven to be determined to take the item. Fourth, the robber manipulated the situation by inflicting fear in the owner and forcing the outcome.
In addition, it is important to note that the entirety of the action takes place in one setting. Robbery is a serious crime and as such, it is commonly tried as a felony. Due to that, it incurs serious penalties. Felonies may result in lengthy prison terms and high monetary fines. A crime is often considered a felony if the prison sentence is longer than one year. Some prison sentences are several decades, and in certain situations, a crime may result in a life sentence. Felonies may also result in the revocation of certain rights, such as the right to be in the U. S. army, the right to own firearms, and the right to hold certain careers.
Due to the significance of robbery charges, they are never to be made hastily or out of fear. No matter whether the charges come as a result of a faulty story, a misinformed witness, or some other way, there are situations in which people receive felony consequences unjustly. It is important to be sure that action did, indeed, take place and not to make assumptions. The penalties resulting from a felony are significant and an innocent person should not face them without just cause. That is when the help of an aggressive criminal defense attorney is a necessity.
Regarding Washington D. C., the police are aware that certain areas of the city are more likely for robberies to take place than others. The residents in the more dangerous areas are employing certain safety measures that they would not normally take, such as calling family members who are out at night to ensure they are safe or keeping more lights on around the house during the night. However, this increased level of awareness may cause some citizens to jump to improper conclusions before the facts are known. While more robberies may be taking place than normal, it does not need to instill unnecessary panic in Washington D. C. residents.
Misplaced charges are serious as they could cause permanent damage to a person's life. Consider the ramifications of misplaced charges; the innocent person may have to serve time in prison, pay steep monetary fines, and forfeit certain important privilege—even basic ones like owning a driver's license. Misplaced charges also affect the lives of the innocent person's family and friends as the loved ones of the unfairly charged person must also live with the immensely sad circumstances. For this reason, for those who are criminally charged or even those who are under investigation, it is extremely important that no time is wasted in getting the involvement of a knowledgeable criminal lawyer to help combat the charges.
