Robbery Attorney in Springfield

Passionately Defending Your Rights & Freedom

If you have been charged with robbery in Illinois, it is crucial to obtain qualified legal assistance from an experienced criminal defense attorney. Retain Springfield robbery lawyer Marcus Schantz, and you will have peace of mind knowing that you are represented by a relentless advocate who always fights for the best possible results.

Call (217) 572-1559 to set up a free consultation with Marcus Schantz he can effectively guide you through the complex legal process.

Robbery Laws in Illinois

• Simple robbery occurs when property is taken directly from another person, such as a purse or wallet. This is a Class 2 felony punishable by three to seven years in prison.

• Aggravated robbery is robbery with the threat of violence; it is a Class 1 felony with a sentencing range of four to 15 years.

• Armed robbery is robbery while carrying a weapon, such as a handgun or knife. There are many other items that can be considered weapons, such as a hammer, a large rock or a broken bottle. Armed robbery is a Class X felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison.

Under Illinois’ firearm enhancement laws an additional 15, 20, or 25 years can be added to the prison sentence of those convicted of armed robbery if a firearm was used during commission of the robbery. Fifteen years will be added if the offender was armed with a firearm but did not discharge it, 20 years for discharging the firearm with no injuries, and 25 years for discharging and causing significant bodily harm, permanent disfigurement or disability, or death to the victim.

Defending Robbery Cases in Illinois

It is not uncommon for robbery victims to misidentify their attackers. The police must follow strict procedures when showing a potential suspect to victims. For instance, a show-up or photo array cannot be unnecessarily suggestive of one person. There are ways to challenge the identification of the defendant that could end in a case dismissal. At trial, skilled cross-examination can demonstrate the victim identified the wrong person.

Previous Case Example

A client was charged with the armed robbery of an elderly man who alleged the client followed him outside of a store after he had collected rent in cash, put a pistol to his face and demanded money. Cross-examination at trial showed the victim was confused and had while viewing a photo array of six mug shots likely picked the client’s photo because he recognized him from seeing him in that store several times in the past rather than because the client was his offender. The client was found not guilty by a judge in a bench trial.

Contact Marcus Schantz for a free consultation!