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If you are facing armed robbery charges you are likely worrying about possible defenses you can utilize during your trial. There are a few strategies that may help you have your charges dismissed or lessened. Obtain the help of a skilled attorney by reaching out to a Mercer County armed robbery lawyer for assistance and representation.
What Are My Defense Options?
There are several defense options you may be able to use when being charged with armed robbery. They are as follows.
- Innocence
- If you can prove that you did not commit the crime by providing the court with a solid alibi, you could have your charges dropped. The prosecution has the burden of proof, meaning they must prove to a court beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime.
- Intoxication
- If you were voluntarily intoxicated a court may lessen their sentencing as you were not in the right frame of mind and may be considered less criminally liable.
- If you were involuntarily intoxicated, your involvement in criminal behavior may be excused. This defense may work if you were drugged.
- Entrapment
- If you can prove that a police officer or government agent forced you to commit the crime and you would not have done it was it not due to their influence, it may be an effective defense.
- Duress
- If someone coerced you into committing the robbery via threats of violence, it could work as a defense strategy. However, you will have to prove that there was an immediate and actual threat that put you at risk of injury or death if you did not commit the robbery.
- You are the true owner of the property
- If the property you were accused of stealing actually belongs to you, your lawyer may decide to use this as a line of defense. The act of committing robbery with a deadly weapon is still a crime but a court may be swayed to adjust your charges or penalties if you are the true original owner.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Armed Robbery Case?
As stated, there are several defense options if you are being charged with armed robbery. However, it is imperative that you acquire the services of a skilled attorney when dealing with these charges. A lawyer will have a much deeper understanding of the law and your rights. They will be able to know which defense option will work best for your situation and effectively defend you in court.
What Are the Penalties for Armed Robbery in New Jersey?
No matter what charges you face, armed robbery will result in serious penalties in the state of New Jersey.
Second-degree armed robbery will carry a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years. First-degree armed robbery will carry a prison sentence of 10 to 20 years. Because of the severity of these crimes, they fall under NJ’s NERA (No Early Release Act), meaning that someone convicted of armed robbery in the first or second degree will be required to serve at least 85% of their sentence before they can be eligible for parole.
