Robbery FAQ

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In the State of Texas, the difference between theft and robbery are in their degree and in their specific actions. Theft is generally considered to be a smaller and less serious crime, while robbery is considered to be much worse and will come with harsher penalties. Texas robbery is considered to be an aggravated form of theft. To be charged with robbery, all the following conditions of theft must be present:

– You took someone else’s property or money without permission.
– You removed the property from its appropriate location.
– You planned to keep it forever.

Several other factors must be present as well. You must have taken someone else’s property directly from that person, against his or her will, and through intimidation, force, threats, or violence. These actions are treated much more harshly under Texas Law.

According to Section 29.02 of the Texas Penal Code, a robbery occurs when someone intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to someone else while committing an act of theft. If you push someone down before stealing their wallet, you could get a robbery charge in Texas (regardless of how much was in the wallet). Unlike theft offenses (which are based on the value of the stolen property), robbery is based on the amount of force used while performing the theft. Texas robbery is considered a second-degree felony and carries a punishment of 2-20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

According to Section 29.03 of the Texas Penal Code, aggravated robbery occurs when someone uses or exhibits a deadly weapon, causes serious bodily injury, or causes bodily injury to an elderly or disabled person while in the process of committing the crime. Here are some examples of aggravated robbery in Texas:

– Going into a convenient store, pointing a gun at the clerk, and stealing the money out of the cash register.
– Severely beating someone and stealing something that belonged to that person.
– Hitting an elderly or disabled person with your fist before taking that person’s property.

Both aggravated and armed robbery have more serious consequences than a common robbery. Aggravated robberies are considered to be first-degree felonies and can lead to 5-99 years in prison (or even a life sentence) and a fine of up to $10,000.

If you’re convicted of common or aggravated robbery in Texas, you could face a long prison sentence or period of supervised probation. But after that, you’re prospects for employment will be very limited. If you’re a licensed professional, your license could be suspended or even revoked (depending on the outcome of the case). All felony convictions are reported to the Texas Department of Public Safety and become a public record that can be viewed by employers and others who may need to see it.

Some of the important defenses in common and aggravated robbery cases include but may not be limited to:

– Mistaken identity.
– Alibi (you can prove that you were somewhere else at the time of the crime).
– There was no bodily injury.
– The weapon exhibited was not a deadly weapon.

With a qualified criminal defense lawyer in Corpus Christi, you might be able to get a more desirable outcome (such as the reduction of a felony to a misdemeanor or lower felony degree, being placed on deferred adjudication, or even a dismissal). The facts of your specific case, the testimony of the witnesses, the pre-trial investigation, and hiring a qualified attorney will determine the outcome of your case. You can’t afford not to hire an attorney to help you with any criminal charges you’re facing.

If you commit a theft crime in Texas and you intentionally or recklessly cause the bodily injury of someone else, threaten injury, or put the victim in a situation where he or she has a reasonable fear of injury, it’s considered a robbery. This type of crime is classified as a second-degree felony, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

There are four main types of robbery in the State of Texas, which include the following:

– Armed Robbery — Involves the use of a deadly weapon, which escalates the severity of the case.
– Carjacking — Involves the theft of a motor vehicle by force or the threat of force. The person committing a carjacking offense has stolen a vehicle directly from the owner or occupant.
– Home Invasion Robbery — Involves the unlawful entry into someone else’s residence with the intent to rob, which adds an extra violation to the charges.
– Bank Robbery — Involves stealing money or assets from a bank or similar establishment.

Be sure to speak to a qualified attorney for more information.

Restitution is a court order that requires you as the defendant to pay the affected party, so he or she compensated for any losses that resulted from the crime. It’s separate from any fines, court costs, and attorney fees. So, it’s something that needs to be considered if you’re being charged with robbery in Texas. Restitution is meant to help the victim get back to where he or she was before the crime was committed. It can also help to deter criminal behavior by forcing the defendant to take financial responsibility for the crime being committed.
Restitution is often issued when the crime has caused the damage, loss, or destruction of a property. It can also be issued if returning the stolen property is impossible or isn’t enough to rectify the situation. Restitution has also been applied if the victim has suffered bodily injury or to pay for any of the following:
– Medical bills.
– Missed checks that resulted from the loss of earnings due to an inability to go to work.
– Insurance co-pays and deductibles.
The victim can also agree to have the defendant make restitution payments to a third-party organization (such as a charity or non-profit organization).