Robbery

This part of the statute is broad to cover various actions used to make someone surrender their belongings. It includes forcefully taking items, like grabbing a phone from someone’s hand on the metro.

It can also include threatening someone with a weapon, or even just using threatening words. A skilled prosecutor might argue that a person’s threatening behavior counts as the use of force. This element is crucial and often debated by both prosecutors and defense attorneys. Without it, a robbery charge can be reduced to a theft charge, which is a much less severe offense in Washington DC.

Bank robbery is a federal crime defined in 18 US Code § 2113. This law forbids attempting to take or actually taking money, property, or items from federal banking institutions like banks, credit unions, and trust companies insured by the FDIC.

Using force, guns, or violence to rob a bank can result in up to 20 years in prison. Attempting to take money or property, or attempting to enter such an institution with intent to commit a crime, is punishable similarly.

Providing useful information to the police during proceedings may result in a reward from the authorities.

The law also states that anyone who assaults a person or endangers someone’s life with a dangerous weapon while committing or attempting these crimes can be fined or imprisoned for up to 25 years, or both.

Stealing money or valuables worth over $1,000 from these institutions can lead to 10 years in prison. If the value is less than $1,000, the penalty can be up to one year in jail.

Even if you attempt to rob someone but fail, you can still be charged with attempted robbery under DC Code § 22-2802. To secure a conviction, the government must demonstrate that you made an “overt act” towards committing the robbery. For instance, threatening someone with a knife to hand over their phone qualifies as an “overt act.” Even if you don’t succeed in obtaining the phone, you could still be convicted of attempted robbery and face up to 3 years in prison and a fine of up to $12,500.

Armed robbery is a severe form of theft that involves using a lethal weapon to commit violence or threaten violence (intimidation) against a victim.

In Washington, DC, committing armed or aggravated robbery can lead to much harsher penalties. This means using any weapon, not just a firearm or knife, during a robbery. Any item that could be used as a weapon can upgrade a robbery charge to armed robbery. If you are armed with a gun, you would face a mandatory minimum prison sentence if convicted.

If convicted, you could face up to 30 years in prison. If you have a prior criminal record, the minimum sentence could be increased to 5 years.

Facing armed robbery charges can jeopardize your freedom. A criminal investigation can have a significant impact on your life, even if you are innocent. The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Monument Legal can build a strong defense for you. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.

Federal bank robbery laws (18 US Code § 2113) also cover theft from an armored car or bank messenger under certain circumstances.

If the stolen money or property is part of an “interstate or foreign shipment of freight, express, or other property,” the accused could face up to 10 years in prison under 18 US Code § 659.

For car theft, the District of Columbia has a specific law (§ 22-2803) targeting carjacking. Carjacking is treated very seriously in D.C. and involves harsher penalties compared to robbery.

If convicted of carjacking, you face a minimum of 7 years in prison, with the possibility of up to 21 years. For armed carjacking, the minimum sentence is 15 years, and the judge could impose up to 40 years, depending on the circumstances.