In Missouri, robbery is defined as a theft of another person’s property or money through force, intimidation or threats. If a person uses a dangerous instrument in the robbery, that is called armed robbery. It is a felony and can carry at least 10 years in prison and sometimes more.
A person can be charged with first degree or second degree robbery. These charges are serious and can have a significant impact on the accused person. However, there are defenses that he or she may want to consider.
Defenses to robbery
If the accused person can demonstrate that he or she was not at the location where the robbery took place and can provide witnesses to support that information, that may be a defense. Sometimes, suspects are also misidentified by eyewitnesses and photo or video evidence which can be challenged by the defense.
In Missouri, robbery includes theft of a controlled substance from a pharmacy. If the items that were taken were not a controlled substance, that may also be used as a defense. It may also help the accused person reduce the charges.
In a robbery case, the prosecution has the burden of proving that the accused person committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. If the accused can demonstrate that there is reasonable doubt, he or she should be found not guilty.
These are just a few examples of defenses to robbery. There may be others available to the accused, depending on the circumstances of the incident.
An experienced attorney can review the charges, provide guidance and representation to the accused and answer questions he or she might have about the process.