Belleville Armed Robbery Lawyer

The law doesn’t take it lightly when you commit a robbery while armed with a weapon. Armed robbery is among the most serious felony charges in Illinois, one that is charged as a Class X felony that carries a prison term in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) between 6 and 30 years with absolutely no possibility for probation. Under 720 ILCS 5/18-2, taking property from a person by force or threat while armed with a dangerous weapon automatically triggers the Class X classification for the crime.

When in Belleville and St. Clair County, you need strong defense for this non-probationable felony. The Conner Law Firm defends armed robbery charges in Belleville and St. Clair County courts, led by Erin K. Conner, a former Assistant State’s Attorney who prosecuted armed robbery and armed violence cases who understands exactly how the State builds these charges and brings that insider knowledge to your defense. Don’t wait to get the defense representation you need– contact a Belleville violent crimes lawyer with our criminal defense team today.

Armed Robbery vs. Robbery in Illinois

Armed robbery is not the same as robbery in Illinois. Robbery is a Class 2 felony that involves taking property from another person by force or threat with no weapon. On the other hand, armed robbery is a Class X felony that involves force or threat, only it is committed while armed with a dangerous weapon.

The distinction between these charges is important as under 720 ILCS 5/18-2, to be considered an armed robbery, you must have a firearm, knife, or be wielding any object as a weapon. With a Class 2 felony robbery, those who are convicted are eligible for probation while those convicted of a Class X armed robbery have mandatory time in the IDOC with no chance of probation.

Another consideration is that the State doesn’t care if the dangerous weapon is a fake. If you used a toy gun to threaten someone while robbing them, then that still applies under these laws. Additionally, some of those facing these charges may also face a separate charge of armed violence when any felony is committed while armed, stacking onto armed robbery for added exposure.

Armed robbery charges can be reduced to robbery charges if the weapon element can be challenged or negotiated successfully. In order to do so, it requires an experienced weapons charges defense attorney in Belleville who knows exactly how the prosecution is going to approach the case. You can’t talk your way out of this one on your own, and very likely, will only make things worse. Instead, talk to the attorneys at The Conner Law Firm to get strong defense in your corner.

Armed Robbery Penalties and Sentencing

Armed robbery charges and penalties in Illinois are a very serious matter. If convicted, this crime is a Class X felony that requires a mandatory IDOC sentence between 6 to 30 years. There is no probation and no conditional discharge. You will be made to serve the entire sentence behind bars.

Firearm enhancements deepen your sentence, adding a mandatory 15 years to your original sentence. If you personally discharged that firearm during the commission of the crime, it adds a mandatory 20 years. In the event that the firearm discharged injured someone or resulted in their death, a mandatory addition of 25 years is added to the sentence.

While these sentences are lengthy, an extended term is also possible. If you have a prior Class X conviction on your record or your behavior is deemed exceptionally heinous by the courts, the sentence could be anywhere from 30 to 60 years. Your freedom is greatly at stake, and with truth-in-sentencing that requires those convicted or armed robbery to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release, depending on your current age, you may never get out of prison.

That’s why there is no time to waste to get the defense you need. Attorney Conner knows what to look for with her knowledge from the other side of the criminal justice system to build a strong defense and protect your future.

Armed Robbery Defense Strategies

Charges of armed robbery may seem bleak, though the right defense approaches your case with smart strategies. Here are several defenses our team uses to fight armed robbery charges:

Identity Defense

When someone witnesses an armed robbery, it’s a shocking event. They may be further away, or visibility may not be clear. Even during a lineup, a witness may misidentify you as the perpetrator. Similarly, surveillance footage quality may be too grainy to make a solid identification. Ms. Conner challenges these false identifications to fight the charges.

Challenging the Use of Weapon

Although Illinois will still consider it an armed robbery even if you had a toy gun, if the item in your possession at the time was not a toy gun or anything dangerous, we gather evidence to show the State. When successful, this can get charges reduced.

Accountability

Some facing these serious charges are charged as an accomplice. Ms. Conner challenges the sufficiency of the evidence of prior knowledge and participation, which the defense needs to prove beyond a reasonable doubt in order for those charges to stick.

Suppressing Evidence

Legal procedures are in place for a reason, and they must be followed. Our attorneys look at how you were arrested. Were you stopped legally while driving or on foot? Were proper protocols followed during the stop, arrest, search, or identification procedures? We deeply dig into this and suppress any evidence found that was obtained through improper procedure.

Negotiate Charge Reductions

Whether you’ve had no history with the law or the evidence suggests that this was not an armed robbery, Ms. Conner will seek a plea negotiation to get the charges down from armed robbery to robbery. In doing so, this would make the charges a Class 2 felony that is probation-eligible, which is a huge distinction.

The Conner Law Firm defends armed robbery charges in Belleville and St. Clair County, helmed by Ms. Conner, who has experience as a former prosecutor to use to fight your charges and protect your freedom. Our attorneys provide a free consultation to help you learn more about your options and what we can do to protect your legal rights. Call (618) 277-2421 immediately to get the defense you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact The Conner Law Firm for Armed Robbery Defense

Class X felony charges move quickly, and early investigation and evidence preservation are critical for protecting your rights and your freedom. Get the strong representation you need with The Conner Law Firm, providing aggressive criminal defense representation in St. Clair, Monroe, and Madison Counties, and throughout southern Illinois.

Erin K. Conner, a former St. Clair County Chief of Criminal Bureau, defends armed robbery charges in Belleville and St. Clair County with a full understanding of how the prosecution builds its case. The Conner Law Firm fights for your rights in every courtroom in Southern Illinois. Do not wait to get the legal representation you need to work toward a favorable outcome. Call us today at 618-277-2421 for an immediate free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer in Belleville.