Robbery is a very serious charge. If convicted, the defendant is facing almost certain jail time. Factual circumstances differ so much that this is not a guarantee. Nevertheless, the elements of Robbery illustrate why it is such a serious offense.
To prove Robbery the state must show that the defendant:
- inflicted bodily injury on the victim; [or]
- threatened the victim with immediate bodily injury; [or]
- intentionally put the victim in fear of immediate bodily injury; or
- took or removed money from a financial institution without the permission of the financial institution by making a demand of any employee of the financial institution orally or in writing with the intent to deprive the financial institution of the money.
Second – the state must show the defendant did this during a theft. See: PA Jury Instructions
Bodily injury is the impairment of physical condition or substantial pain. For example, a slap on the wrist would not qualify as bodily injury for purposes of the statute. Speak with a Philadelphia criminal defense lawyer about possible affirmative defenses to the crime of Robbery, and strategies for beating this charge at trial. For a free consultation call the Law Office of Mark D. Copoulos at (267) 535-9776.
