"Experience, when experience counts."
Robbery Defense Attorney Serving Bartow, Lakeland, and Central Florida
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Lakeland Robbery Defense Lawyer - Criminal Law
Experienced Robbery Defense attorney providing Criminal Law Legal Services in Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, Polk County, and the greater Central Florida area.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule a Free Consultation with robbery defense lawyer, Robert A. Norgard.
If you or a loved one are facing robbery charges in Bartow, Lakeland, or the greater Central Florida area, your freedom and future are in immediate jeopardy. Under Florida law, robbery is classified as a violent felony. Unlike simple theft, robbery involves the use of force or the threat of violence, which causes the State of Florida to prosecute these cases with extreme aggression.
A conviction for robbery often leads to mandatory minimum prison sentences that can span decades. When the stakes are this high, you cannot afford to rely on an inexperienced lawyer. The Law Office of Robert A. Norgard offers the tenacious and sophisticated defense required to challenge these serious charges and protect your constitutional rights.
In the Florida criminal justice system, robbery is viewed as a high-level offense because it involves a victim being put in fear of bodily harm. Because of this, the State Attorney’s Office will typically pursue the maximum allowable sentence.
Board-Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer
Why Elite Experience Matters: Attorney Robert A. Norgard has defended individuals against high-stakes criminal charges for more than 40 years. He has been Board-Certified in Criminal Trial Law by The Florida Bar since 1995—a distinction held by fewer than 1% of all practicing lawyers in the state.
Our firm analyzes robbery cases from both sides of the courtroom. We understand exactly how the state builds its case, allowing us to identify the evidentiary gaps and procedural errors that can lead to a dismissal or reduction of charges.
About Robbery Crimes in Florida
Under Florida Statute § 812.13, robbery is defined as the taking of money or other property from the person or custody of another, with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive them of the property, when in the course of the taking there is the use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear.
Florida classifies robbery into several distinct forms, each carrying severe penalties:
- Robbery with a Firearm or Deadly Weapon: A First-Degree Felony punishable by up to Life in state prison.
- Robbery with a Weapon (Non-firearm): A First-Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years in state prison.
- Strong-Arm Robbery (No Weapon): A Second-Degree Felony punishable by up to 15 years in state prison.
- Home-Invasion Robbery: Performed inside a dwelling. A First-Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years or Life (if a deadly weapon is used).
- Carjacking: The forceful taking of a motor vehicle. A First-Degree Felony punishable by up to 30 years or Life.
- Robbery by Sudden Snatching: Taking property directly from a person’s body (like a purse) without necessarily using additional force. A Third-Degree Felony punishable by up to 5 years in state prison.
The Impact of Florida’s 10-20-Life Statute
If a firearm is used during a robbery, Florida’s 10-20-Life Statute (F.S. § 775.087) mandates strict minimum-mandatory prison sentences that a judge cannot reduce:
- 10 Years for simply possessing a firearm during the crime.
- 20 Years if the firearm is discharged.
- 25 Years to Life if someone is injured or killed by the firearm.
The Burden of Proof
To secure a robbery conviction, the prosecutor must prove four specific elements to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The Taking: Property was taken from the victim’s person or immediate custody.
- The Intent: The defendant intended to deprive the owner of that property.
- The Value: The property taken has some inherent value.
- Force or Fear: The taking was accomplished through force, violence, assault, or by putting the victim in fear.
The Defense of Robbery Charges in Florida
Our defense strategy often centers on exposing the state’s inability to prove these elements. We meticulously scrutinize police reports, surveillance footage, and witness statements to highlight mistaken identity, lack of intent, or insufficient force (arguing the force was an "afterthought" and not used to actually take the property).
The Law Office of Robert A. Norgard serves clients throughout Polk County and the greater Central Florida region. We provide aggressive representation focused on:
- Challenging Eyewitness Testimony: Human memory is fallible, and cross-racial identification or high-stress situations often lead to wrongful accusations.
- Negotiating Lesser Charges: In many cases, we can successfully argue that the facts better fit a charge of Theft or Battery, which avoids the draconian sentencing enhancements associated with robbery.
- Suppressing Evidence: If law enforcement violated your Fourth Amendment rights during a search or failed to properly read your Miranda rights, we will file motions to throw that evidence out of court.
If you are being questioned by detectives or have already been arrested, do not speak to law enforcement without an attorney. Anything you say can and will be used to build the state’s case against you.
Contact the Law Office of Robert A. Norgard today to schedule your Free Consultation. We serve Bartow, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Auburndale, Haines City, and all of Polk County. Protect your future by putting 40 years of elite trial experience in your corner.
Call 863-354-0508 today to schedule your Free Consultation with Lakeland robbery defense attorney, Robert A. Norgard.
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