Selecting the right defense strategy for armed robbery charges in Louisiana is very important, as this is a serious criminal offense. A knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer will carry out thorough research, acquainting themselves with the evidence and pinpointing the approach that’s bound to deliver an optimal result for their client.
Penalties for Armed Robbery
Louisiana laws outline an array of penalties for armed robberies, depending on the circumstances and the aggravating factors. According to LA R.S. 14:64, armed robberies will result in a prison sentence of no less than 10 years. The maximum prison sentence is 99 years.
Given the specifics of the charges, a criminal defense lawyer in Louisiana will decide to employ one of the following defense strategies.
Viable Defense Strategies for Armed Robbery Charges
It’s very important to give your lawyer a detailed account of what happened. They will use the information to personalize the defense strategy and seek the evidence that is best aligned with the case specifics.
A few viable defense scenarios include:
- Innocence: If you didn’t commit the armed robbery, you will need to insist on this approach. A criminal defense lawyer who chooses the strategy will have to establish your innocence through an alibi, witness testimonies or any other kind of evidence that proves you haven’t committed the crime.
- Lack of evidence: Finding weaknesses in the evidence used to prosecute you will give a criminal defense attorney the right strategy to pursue in court. In all criminal proceedings, the prosecution is the entity that carries the burden of proof. Its inability to establish guilt allows the defense to build a solid case.
- False accusations: Depending on the circumstances and the evidence that the prosecution has presented, an experienced attorney could use the false accusation strategy effectively in court.
- Entrapment: Whenever someone is pushed by a law enforcement professional to commit a crime they wouldn’t have committed otherwise, the entrapment defense scenario will come in full effect.
- Intoxication: A criminal defense lawyer could claim intoxication during the armed robbery. It is used because it establishes the lack of intent to commit a crime. This defense scenario alone, however, will usually be insufficient to get the charges fully dropped.
Some other common defense scenarios that can be used in Louisiana armed robbery cases include the lack of intent, self-defense, return of property that lawfully belongs to the defendant, and asportation (the act of carrying or transporting property that has been stolen by someone else).
The Impact of an Armed Robbery Conviction
Being found guilty of an armed robbery will have a profound impact on your life. The scope of changes will extend beyond the immediate effect and the penalty you’re facing right now.
Armed robbery is classified as a violent crime in Louisiana. If people get injured and hurt seriously during the crime, a perpetrator could end up spending the rest of their life in prison.
There is also no likelihood of diminishing the prison sentence through probation or parole. That is why you need to consult a qualified, highly experienced criminal defense attorney the moment you get charged.
Even if you serve your prison sentence and you get released, you will still carry the burden of being convicted of a violent crime. The Louisiana criminal record could impact your ability to find and keep a job. Your credit score will also be impacted. Those records are public and permanent. You will need to handle their effect until the end of your life.
Depending on the situation, some additional rights and privileges may be revoked. In Louisiana, having a violent crime record could mean you’re not entitled to voting, holding certain types of professional licenses, and possessing firearms.
Let a Reputable Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney Craft the Best Defense Strategy
Your life will change forever if you don’t seek adequate, highly professional legal representation.
Armed robbery is a very serious offense but luckily, reputable criminal defense lawyers know how to handle such charges. They will fight for your rights, identifying prosecution witnesses and using those to build a sound defense strategy.
We can get results, helping you win your life back. Contact Bart Bernard Criminal Defense Law Firm at 225-384-5699 and schedule your free case review.