Robbery charges in Florida carry severe penalties that can change your life forever. The state prosecutes these cases aggressively, with convictions often resulting in lengthy prison sentences.

We at Law Offices of Scott B. Saul understand the fear and confusion you’re experiencing right now. Taking the right steps immediately after being charged can make the difference between freedom and years behind bars.

What Exactly Constitutes Robbery in Florida

The Legal Elements That Define Robbery

Florida Statute 812.13 defines robbery as taking money or property from another person through force, violence, assault, or fear. The prosecution must prove three specific elements beyond a reasonable doubt: you took property that belonged to someone else, you used force or threatened force during the act, and you intended to permanently deprive the owner of their property. The force element separates robbery from simple theft – even minimal physical contact or verbal threats can elevate a theft charge to robbery. Florida courts have ruled that snatching a purse from someone’s hands constitutes sufficient force for a robbery conviction.

Robbery Classifications and Their Penalties

Florida law recognizes two degrees of robbery with dramatically different penalties. Second-degree robbery occurs when no weapon is involved and carries up to 15 years in prison plus fines up to $10,000. First-degree robbery involves the use or possession of a firearm, deadly weapon, or weapon during the crime and can result in life imprisonment.

Armed robbery with a firearm triggers Florida’s 10-20-Life law, which mandates minimum sentences of 10 years for possession, 20 years for discharge, and 25 years to life if someone suffers injury. Strong-arm robbery, carjacking, and home invasion robbery fall under these classifications based on circumstances and location.

Key Differences From Theft and Burglary

Robbery requires direct confrontation with a victim and the use of force, while theft involves the act of taking property without force or threats. Burglary focuses on unlawful entry into a structure with intent to commit a crime inside (regardless of whether property is actually taken). The timing matters significantly – if you enter a building with intent to steal and then encounter someone, the use of force transforms the crime from burglary to robbery. These distinctions affect your defense strategy and potential penalties, which makes accurate charge identification vital for your case.

Now that you understand the specific elements that define robbery charges, the next step involves taking immediate action to protect your rights and build your defense.

What Should You Do Right After Being Charged

Invoke Your Constitutional Rights Immediately

The moment law enforcement approaches you about robbery charges, invoke your Fifth Amendment right to remain silent. Tell officers clearly: “I am invoking my right to remain silent and want to speak with an attorney.” Many criminal cases involve self-incriminating statements made during initial questioning.

Law enforcement officers receive extensive training in interrogation techniques designed to extract admissions. They can legally lie about evidence during questioning. Even innocent explanations can be twisted and used against you in court. Your silence cannot be used as evidence of guilt, but your words absolutely can and will be used to convict you.

Secure Legal Representation Within Hours

Contact a criminal defense attorney within the first 24 hours of your arrest – this timing directly impacts your case outcome. Florida’s criminal justice system moves quickly, and your first appearance typically occurs within 24 hours, where bond decisions are made.

An attorney can immediately begin to investigate your case, preserve evidence, and interview witnesses before memories fade or evidence disappears. Public defenders in Florida handle substantial caseloads according to state judicial reports, while private attorneys typically manage fewer cases, allowing for more focused attention on your defense.

Maintain Complete Communication Silence

Never discuss your case details with family members, friends, or other inmates during jail calls or visits. Florida correctional facilities record all phone conversations except those with your attorney, and prosecutors routinely review these recordings for incriminating statements.

Social media posts from you or your associates can also become evidence – delete nothing but post nothing new about your situation. Even seemingly supportive comments from friends can backfire if they inadvertently reveal details about your whereabouts or activities on the day of the alleged crime.

Prepare for Your Defense Strategy

Document everything you remember about the incident while details remain fresh in your memory. Write down the names of potential witnesses, your exact location before and after the alleged crime, and any evidence that might support your innocence (such as receipts, video footage, or phone records).

Your attorney will need this information to build the strongest possible defense. The prosecution will already be working to build their case against you, so time becomes a critical factor in developing effective defense strategies that can challenge their evidence and protect your freedom.

How Can You Build a Strong Defense Against Robbery Charges

Attack Prosecution Evidence and Witness Accounts

Defense attorneys focus on exposing weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence rather than proving innocence. Florida courts require proof beyond reasonable doubt, and skilled lawyers systematically challenge every piece of evidence. Video surveillance often provides poor image quality or incomplete coverage, which makes positive identification questionable. Eyewitness testimony proves notoriously unreliable – the Innocence Project reports that eyewitness misidentification was involved in 31% of murder cases among DNA exonerees.

Your attorney will examine lighting conditions, distance, stress levels, and cross-racial identification factors that affect witness accuracy. Physical evidence like fingerprints or DNA requires proper chain of custody documentation. Improper collection or storage can render evidence inadmissible in court.

Establish Lack of Intent and Identity Defenses

Intent represents a critical element in robbery cases – prosecutors must prove you specifically intended to permanently deprive someone of their property through force. Many situations involve misunderstandings or disputes over property ownership that prosecutors wrongly characterize as robbery.

Alibi evidence becomes particularly powerful when concrete documentation supports it (timestamped receipts, security footage from other locations, or cell phone GPS data). Florida courts have dismissed robbery charges when defendants demonstrated they were miles away during the alleged crime. Mistaken identity defenses work best when combined with evidence showing the actual perpetrator’s different physical characteristics, clothing, or behavior patterns that witnesses observed.

Navigate Strategic Plea Negotiations and Sentencing Alternatives

Florida’s mandatory minimum sentences for armed robbery make plea negotiations extremely valuable for avoiding life sentences. Prosecutors often overcharge initially, knowing they can negotiate down to lesser offenses like theft or assault. Your attorney might negotiate robbery charges down to theft, which carries significantly lower penalties and avoids the violent crime designation that affects future sentences.

Drug court, mental health court, or pretrial diversion programs offer alternatives for defendants with underlying issues that contribute to their charges. These programs allow case dismissal upon successful completion (avoiding permanent criminal records that destroy employment and housing opportunities). Successful outcomes in complex cases demonstrate how experienced defense attorneys can achieve favorable results even when facing serious charges.

Final Thoughts

Robbery charges in Florida demand immediate action to protect your future. Every hour you delay contacting an attorney reduces your chances of building an effective defense. The prosecution begins work against you from the moment they file charges, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses while you remain vulnerable.

An experienced criminal defense attorney provides access to investigative resources, expert witnesses, and negotiation skills that can mean the difference between conviction and freedom. A skilled lawyer understands Florida’s complex robbery statutes and knows how to challenge evidence, question witness reliability, and identify procedural violations that could lead to case dismissal. We at Law Offices of Scott B. Saul have successfully defended clients against serious criminal charges (including robbery cases) throughout our years of practice.

Don’t face these serious charges alone. Contact Law Offices of Scott B. Saul today for a comprehensive consultation about your robbery case. Our team will review your situation and develop a defense strategy tailored to your specific circumstances.