Armed robbery is a highly serious offence to be accused of. It’s one of the most serious criminal offences, and carries a sentencing maximum on par with murder and rape. As a result, it’s obviously incredibly important that anyone accused of armed robbery knows the surrounding legal area.
This includes the potential ramifications of being found guilty, what to do if you’ve been charged, and other related pieces of valuable knowledge. This article aims to provide that base knowledge, to help you understand how to proceed in a likely highly stressful situation.
Armed robbery defined
Robbery is a crime defined in the Theft Act 1968. An individual is guilty of robbery if they steal something and use force or threat of force before or during the act. With armed robbery, that force or threat of force would include the use of a weapon.
Both robbery and armed robbery differ from theft in a significant way; theft does not include the use of force on another individual in any way, and thus often involves a far lower sentence. The other related crime, burglary, is where someone illegally enters a property in order to then steal from that property.
Potential sentencing for armed robbery
Of all the stealing-related crimes listed above, including theft, burglary and robbery, robbery holds the highest potential for sentencing. This is because of the violent nature of the crime – it doesn’t ‘just’ involve the stealing of property, but also the threat or actual harm of another individual or group of individuals.
The maximum sentence for armed robbery is life imprisonment – this will be only in the most serious of cases, depending on the exact circumstances of the robbery.
For example, in a street mugging, where someone is threatened with a knife and their phone is taken, while technically a case of armed robbery, it is a relatively minor case.
No one is actually harmed, and the amount stolen is quite little, an item worth up to several hundred pounds. In a bank robbery where someone is seriously hurt or killed, the sentencing will be far more severe. The armed robbery charge could even be accompanied by a charge of unlawful manslaughter, or other serious charges.
Other factors that come into play
How you’re sentenced will depend on multiple other factors. Many of these will be based on the crime itself. These might include what kind of force was used and, if applicable, the severity of any injuries that were sustained. The number of people involved and your amount of cooperation in the investigation will also be considered by the court.
What to do if you’ve been charged with armed robbery
If you’ve been charged with armed robbery, it’s essential that you seek legal representation as soon as you can. A criminal solicitor will be able to advise you as things progress; they’ll be able to help you before and during police interviews, and help you to prepare your case if it goes to court.
Call us now on 0161 234 0020 (Manchester) /0203 053 8625 (London) / 07956 555979 (24 hour), or you can also contact our team at Ashcott Solicitors via our contact form. We will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.
