Robbery is considered the act of using violence or threats to steal or extort from someone. It is considered a violent offence, and as such can result in severe consequences from the court. The severity of the crime can be significantly affected depending whether the person accused is alleged to have used a weapon or violence in the act of robbery. The severity of the charge can also increase significantly if the act of robbery was made at the direction of or in association with a criminal organization.
See Also: Theft
How the criminal code defines robbery in Canada
343 Every one commits robbery who
(a) steals, and for the purpose of extorting whatever is stolen or to prevent or overcome resistance to the stealing, uses violence or threats of violence to a person or property;
(b) steals from any person and, at the time he steals or immediately before or immediately thereafter, wounds, beats, strikes or uses any personal violence to that person;
(c) assaults any person with intent to steal from him; or
(d) steals from any person while armed with an offensive weapon or imitation thereof.
344 (1) Every person who commits robbery is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
(a) if a restricted firearm or prohibited firearm is used in the commission of the offence or if any firearm is used in the commission of the offence and the offence is committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organization, to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of
(i) in the case of a first offence, five years, and
(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, seven years;
(a.1) in any other case where a firearm is used in the commission of the offence, to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of four years; and
(b) in any other case, to imprisonment for life.
An experience criminal defence lawyer can challenge a robbery charge
In cases of robbery involving a firearm, the minimum punishment is four years imprisonment. The different types of robbery can include everything from robberies targeting banks and businesses, home invasions, muggings and other types of theft involving confrontation with a victim.
Robbery is considered a serious crime. It is seen by the courts and law enforcement as a type of crime motivated by financial gain, at the cost of public safety. The most severe cases of robbery can result in a life sentence in prison. Our goal at Acumen Law Corporation is to ensure those accused of robbery are equipped with a successful defence. We want to help those accused of robbery successfully reintegrate back into society as productive citizens.
If you or someone you know is being investigated for robbery, give us a call at 604-685-8889. We are available all over British Columbia and have the experience to defend against the charges.