Are There Any Defenses for Armed Robbery in Illinois?

When you’re facing criminal charges, it’s critical to understand the severity of the charges against you. However, when facing an armed robbery offense, it’s imperative to understand the penalties you can face, because it is considered egregious for many reasons. Illinois does not take these offenses lightly. As such, connecting with a Peoria theft crimes lawyer to explore your legal options during these matters is critical. The following blog explores this offense, and further detail and the potential defenses you may be able to utilize to beat these charges.

What Is Armed Robbery?

Robbery is any attempt to intentionally deprive another person of their property using force or threats of imminent danger or bodily harm. As such, when someone uses or brandishes a deadly weapon during the act, they can be charged with armed robbery. It’s important to understand that this weapon is not limited to a firearm, but any instrument that can cause serious bodily harm or death to the victim can warrant this charge. This includes a baseball bat, ax, hammer, or knife.

Additionally, it’s essential to understand that even if you do not have a weapon but make the victim believe you have one, this will still warrant an armed robbery offense. This is because the victim was in reasonable fear of severe bodily harm or death.

If you are charged with armed robbery, you can face a Class X felony. In Illinois, this is the most severe of all felony offenses. As such, this carries anywhere between six and thirty years in prison. However, there are additional aggravating factors that can increase the penalties, meaning you could face up to life in prison for this offense.

What Defenses Can I Utilize?

When you are charged with armed robbery, it may seem like you have no options to evade the penalties. However, working with an experienced attorney gives you the best chance at fighting the charges. This is because your attorney will examine your circumstances to determine which potential defense works best for your situation.

One defense that could be applicable is that your Constitutional rights were violated. For example, if you are the subject of an unreasonable search and seizure by police in which they find evidence, your attorney may be able to fight for the evidence seized to be deemed inadmissible in court.

You may also be able to prove that this is a case of mistaken identity. If you have a strong alibi for the time of the crime, you may be able to prove that you could not have possibly committed this offense.

Regardless, it’s imperative to connect with an experienced attorney as soon as possible to discuss your circumstances to fight for the best possible outcome. At Giruado Law, we understand how complex these matters can be, which is why we are dedicated to helping you. Contact our team today to schedule a consultation and discuss your circumstances with a member of our committed firm.