Robbery & Car Jacking

Both carjacking and robbery are extremely serious charges and qualify as strike offenses under the “There Strikes” laws. Murrieta – Temecula criminal attorney Karen E. Lockhart successfully represents individuals charged with robbery and carjacking. Call criminal defense attorney Karen E. Lockhart at (951) 698-5191 for a free, confidential consultation, by telephone or in person.

Robbery & Carjacking

Robbery Penal Code section 211 - 215 is the taking of property, from the immediate presence of another, by force or fear.

Carjacking Penal Code section 215 is a form of robbery. Carjacking is defined as the taking of a motor vehicle in the possession of another, against his or her will and with the intent to either permanently or temporarily deprive the person in possession of the motor vehicle, and is accomplished by means of force or fear.

Carjacking count as strikes under the “Three Strikes” law, and is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of three, five, or nine years.

In Riverside County, carjacking is prosecuted very aggressively. This means that prosecutors will be tougher on the defendant charged with these crimes, and the penalties might be stiffer. If you or a family member is charged with the crime of robbery, in any court in Riverside County, please have no contact with law enforcement personnel and immediately contact experienced carjacking defense attorney Karen E. Lockhart at 951-698-5191, located in Murrieta at the Murrieta - Temecula Border. The prosecutor in your case will be an experienced attorney. Why shouldn’t you have one? You need an attorney who has the experience to win your case.

Robbery: There are two types of robbery crimes in California – first and second degree. First degree robbery is the robbery of a person driving a vehicle, robbery of a person using an ATM, and robbery of a person at their home. Second degree robbery refers to all other forms of robbery.

First and second degree robbery both count as strikes under the “Three Strikes” law. Robbery of the first degree is punishable as follows: If acting in concert with two or more other persons, commits the robbery within an inhabited dwelling by imprisonment in the state prison for three, six, or nine years. First degree robbery carries a potential sentence of incarceration in the state prison for three, four, or six years. Robbery of the second degree is punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three, or five years.

Defenses

Defenses to robbery and carjacking are very similar. Both require the use of force or fear. If this element is missing, the prosecution cannot prove the charge and your case may be dismissed, or you might be found not guilty at trial. A claim of right, meaning the property actually belongs to you, is another example of a complete defense to both robbery and carjacking.

Robbery and Carjacking Criminal Defense

In Riverside County, any form of robbery, including carjacking, is prosecuted aggressively the District Attorney’s Office. This means that prosecutors are harder on the defendant charged with these crimes, and the penalties more severe. If you are facing either of these charges, in any court in Riverside County, don’t not discuss your case with anyone, particularly the police, and immediately contact experienced robbery defense attorney Karen E. Lockhart at 951-698-5191. We are conveniently located in Murrieta at the Murrieta - Temecula border. It’s your freedom and your life. You need an experienced attorney. Call today.