Los Angeles Robbery Lawyer

Criminal Defense Since 1992. Fighting Robbery Charges Across Los Angeles County.

If you or a loved one is facing robbery charges in Los Angeles, the criminal defense team at Shevin Law Group is ready to help. We’ve defended clients in criminal matters throughout Los Angeles County since 1992, and we bring that depth of experience to every robbery case we handle. We’re here to provide the advice, support, and representation you need.

Call Shevin Law Group today at (818) 918-5838 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our robbery defense attorneys in Los Angeles.

What Is Robbery Under California Law?

Robbery is defined and charged under California Penal Code Section 211. It differs from theft and burglary in one critical respect: robbery requires the use of force or fear directed at a person who is present at the time of the taking. That element of direct confrontation is what elevates robbery to a felony regardless of the value of the property involved.

To secure a robbery conviction under PC 211, the prosecution must prove each of the following five elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

• Taking of Property: The defendant took property that was in the possession of another person.
• Immediate Presence: The property was within the victim’s physical control and something they would have retained but for the robbery.
• Against the Victim’s Will: The taking occurred without the victim’s consent.
• Force or Fear: The defendant used force, fear, or intimidation to accomplish the taking.
• Intent to Permanently Deprive: The defendant intended to permanently deprive the victim of the property.

California law divides robbery into two degrees. First-degree robbery applies when the victim was a driver or passenger in a vehicle for hire such as a taxi or rideshare, when the robbery occurred inside an inhabited dwelling, or when the victim was using an ATM or was in its vicinity immediately after doing so. All other robberies that meet the elements of PC 211 are charged as second-degree robbery. Both degrees are felonies, and both count as a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law (Penal Code 667), meaning a conviction can affect sentencing in any future felony case.

Penalties for a Robbery Conviction in California

The consequences of a robbery conviction extend well beyond the prison sentence. California imposes significant mandatory minimums, and several enhancement statutes can multiply the time a defendant serves.

Potential penalties for a robbery conviction include:

• Second-Degree Robbery: Two, three, or five years in state prison.
• First-Degree Robbery: Three, six, or nine years in state prison.
• Firearm Enhancement (PC 12022.53): Under California’s 10-20-Life law, using a firearm during a robbery adds 10 years; firing the weapon adds 20 years; causing great bodily injury or death adds 25 years to life.
• Great Bodily Injury Enhancement (PC 12022.7): If someone suffers great bodily injury during the robbery, additional years may be added to the sentence depending on the circumstances.
• Three Strikes Consequences: Because robbery is a strike offense, a second strike doubles the base sentence and a third strike can trigger a mandatory 25-years-to-life sentence.
• Fines: Up to $10,000 in fines may be imposed.
• Restitution: Courts routinely order payment to victims for financial losses suffered as a result of the robbery.
• Permanent Felony Record: A conviction creates a lasting record that can affect employment, housing, professional licensing, and firearm rights long after a sentence is served.

Defenses Against Robbery Charges in Los Angeles

A robbery charge is serious, but it isn’t automatically a conviction. Our robbery attorneys in Los Angeles investigate the facts of every case carefully and pursue every available defense. The right approach depends on what the evidence shows, and no two cases are alike.

Defenses our team may investigate and pursue include:

• Lack of Force or Fear: If the prosecution can’t establish that force or intimidation was used, the charge may not satisfy the elements of PC 211 and could be reduced to theft.
• Mistaken Identity: Eyewitness testimony is inherently fallible, particularly when a victim is under stress. We examine lineup procedures for suggestive or improper conduct and challenge identifications that lack reliable corroboration.
• Alibi: Documented evidence placing the defendant elsewhere at the time of the alleged robbery can undermine the prosecution’s case entirely.
• Consent: If the victim willingly transferred the property without force or fear, the act may not meet the legal definition of robbery.
• Duress: A defendant who acted under an immediate, credible threat to their own life or safety may have a valid duress defense.
• Claim of Right: If the defendant had a genuine, reasonable belief that the property was their own, the specific intent to steal is absent and the charge may not stand.
• Suppression of Evidence: If law enforcement obtained evidence through an unlawful search or seizure without probable cause or a valid warrant, we file motions to have that evidence excluded from trial.
• Insufficient Evidence: Where the prosecution’s case lacks eyewitness identification, physical evidence, or a confession, the beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard may not be met.

How Los Angeles Robbery Cases Move Through the Courts

Robbery charges under PC 211 in Los Angeles are prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Cases proceed through the Los Angeles Superior Court system, which operates multiple courthouses across the county. Familiarity with local prosecutors, judges, and court procedures is a practical advantage that develops through years of consistent practice in those courtrooms.

Early intervention by defense counsel can matter before charges are even formally filed. Presenting evidence to the DA’s office at the pre-filing stage can create opportunities to influence charging decisions, potentially reducing the severity of what a client faces. Attorney Eric D. Shevin leads our criminal defense team, and our firm has operated in California courts since 1992. That history means we know how these cases are built, where they are vulnerable, and how to respond effectively at every stage.

Contact Our Los Angeles Robbery Attorneys Today

Robbery charges in California carry consequences that can reshape your future. The attorneys at Shevin Law Group are committed to pursuing the best possible outcome for each client we represent throughout Los Angeles County. From the moment you contact us, we work to understand your situation and build a defense strategy that fits your case.

Don’t wait to get legal help. The earlier a robbery lawyer in Los Angeles is involved, the more options may be available to you.

Contact Shevin Law Group today to schedule a consultation with a robbery attorney in Los Angeles.