Armed robbery is a very serious felony offense in Virginia. If you are convicted of this crime, you could face decades to life in prison. You need to retain an experienced criminal defense attorney to aggressively defend you if you want to get the charges dismissed or reduced to a less severe offense through a plea bargain.
Armed Robbery Offenses in Virginia
There is only one robbery statute, Virginia Code §18.2-58, in Virginia. Robbery is committed under this law when an individual takes another person’s property or money through the threat or use of force.
There are four degrees of robbery in our state. A person committing an armed robbery could face these felony charges:
- Class 2 felony. They could be charged with a Class 2 felony if they committed a robbery and caused the victim to suffer serious bodily injury or death.
- Class 3 felony. The accused could be charged with a Class 3 felony if they used or displayed a firearm in a threatening manner while committing the robbery.
An individual could also be charged with using or displaying a firearm while committing a felony under Virginia Code §18.2-53.1 if they used or attempted to use a pistol, rifle, shotgun, or another firearm during the robbery. This is a separate offense that carries a mandatory minimum sentence.
Penalties for Armed Robbery in Virginia
A defendant could face extremely harsh penalties if convicted of an armed robbery offense under Virginia Code §18.2-58. They could be sentenced as follows:
- Class 2 felony. They could be sentenced to 20 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
- Class 3 felony. The punishment could include five to 20 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $100,000.
If an individual was also convicted of using or displaying a firearm while committing the robbery, they could face a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in prison for a first offense and five years in prison for a second or subsequent offense. This punishment would be separate from the armed robbery sentence and would run consecutively with it.
Have you been charged with robbery or armed robbery in Virginia? Our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys are here to mount a strong defense for you. Call our Manassas office at 888-DUI-LWYR or complete our convenient online form to schedule your free initial consultation today to learn more about how we can assist you.
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