Getting charged with robbery can have serious consequences, including long prison sentences and significant fines. A strong defense strategy is crucial to challenging the charges and working toward the best possible outcome for these cases.
If you are facing robbery charges, it is important to know some of the defenses that may help you fight these charges and protect your rights. These include the following.
1. Duress
If you were coerced or threatened into committing the robbery under duress, this can serve as a valid defense. Duress involves being forced to commit a crime due to a threat of immediate harm or death — such as if a partner threatened you with a gun unless you helped load stolen goods onto a truck. The key to this defense is proving that you had no reasonable way to escape the situation.
2. Alibi
An alibi defense asserts that you were somewhere else when the robbery occurred, making it impossible for you to have been involved. If you have evidence, such as verified surveillance footage, witness statements or other credible proof, showing you were not at the scene of the crime, it could cast doubt on the prosecution’s case against you.
3. Mistake of fact
A mistake of fact might have occurred if you were unaware of certain truths and that lack of awareness influenced your actions. For example, if you took something from a store believing it was a free sample or that you had permission to take it, this could be a defense to robbery charges. The key here is to show that your misunderstanding was genuine and reasonable. This defense is often used in cases where there is confusion about ownership, property rights or authority, and can be particularly helpful if there is a lack of intent to steal or cause harm. If the prosecution cannot prove that you had criminal intent or that you knew you were committing a robbery, this defense may help reduce or dismiss the charges.
Obtaining legal guidance can help determine the most effective defense strategy for your case.
