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In Racine and Kenosha counties, armed robbery is a class C felony, punishable by up to 40 years in prison, $100,000 in fines or both.
Stealing by use of physical force, or threatening to use force, is a Robbery in both Racine County and Kenosha County. The law has decided Robbery to be a class E felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison or a $50,00 fine or both.
Armed Robbery in Racine & Kenosha
To be viewed as an Armed Robbery you must use a “dangerous weapon” to carry out the crime. By using a dangerous weapon, you are now facing a class C felony, for which you can now be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison, a fine of $100,000, or both. In either the armed or unarmed scenario, if you are convicted you will lose your ability to legally possess a firearm for the rest of your life because both are felony convictions. You will also lose your right to vote until your civil rights are restored following both your prison or jail time and any supervision the court orders.
What is a "dangerous weapon"?
If the use or intended use of a weapon could have caused death or great bodily harm the law says the weapon qualifies as a dangerous weapon. Knives, bats, clubs, guns or “any other object which in the manner it is used or intended to be used is likely to produce death or great bodily harm” meet the definition of a dangerous weapon under Wisconsin law. The weapon used changes the way your case is handled.
Challenging Armed Robbery Charges
To be convicted of armed robbery the State must prove that by using force you took property from the property’s owner with the purpose of stealing that property. Additionally, the State must prove that you used, or threatened to use, a dangerous weapon to accomplish taking that property. A frequent issue for the State trying to prove their case comes down to whether there was use or the threat of use of a dangerous weapon. If you have a gun and grab money from someone is that armed robbery? Even if the person does not know about the presence of the gun? What if the person knows that you often carry a gun, or that they see the gun but you did not try to show the gun (your jacket opens or your shirt lifts)?
These are just some of the issues that our Racine and Kenosha attorneys may be able to use, based on the facts of your case, to defend against your charges.
If you've been charged with armed robbery in Sturtevant, Caledonia, Union Grove, Somers, Pleasant Prairie, Bristol or anywhere in Racine & Kenosha, contact the award-winning team of criminal defense attorneys at Grieve Law for a free initial case consultation.
You are only guilty if you are convicted.™
How long does an armed robbery conviction stay on my record?
In Racine and Kenosha, an armed robbery conviction will be on your record for the rest of your life. To have a charge expunged, making it sealed from public view, there are specific requirements that must be met, the first being that the offense is a class H felony or below. An armed robbery is a class C felony, making it ineligible for expungement. Similarly, it may not be eligible for a pardon from the Governor. When a criminal conviction is neither eligible for expungement nor a pardon, there is no way to remove that conviction from your record.
Having a criminal conviction, class C felony, on your record can have a significant impact on getting a job, finding a place to live and getting a loan. You will likely be forced to explain yourself and the circumstances of your case for years and years to come.
How to beat an armed robbery charge in Racine
To successfully fight against and beat a charge of armed robbery in Racine or Kenosha you must hire the right attorney to challenge the elements of the crime. To be convicted of an armed robbery the State must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Reviewing the evidence the State will try and use against you, and how the State got that evidence, our team of award-winning skillful Racine and Kenosha attorneys will put you in the best position possible to fight and win your case, contact us today.
