Colorado Springs Felony Armed Robbery Defense Lawyer
Felony Armed Robbery
In Colorado, a "robbery" is defined as a situation where a person uses threats, force, or intimidation to take any item of value from another person. A robbery is known as an "armed robbery" or an "aggravated robbery" if a weapon is involved. Both types of robbery are felonies under Colorado law.
Colorado's aggravated robbery law covers several different situations in which a weapon might be used in a robbery. These include:
- The person who is accused of committing the robbery had a dangerous weapon and intended to use it to injure or kill the person being robbed or anyone else;
- The person accused of committing robbery had a weapon and actually injured someone else with it;
- The person accused of committing robbery had a weapon and used it to threaten or intimidate the person being robbed or anyone else;
- The person accused of committing robbery had an accomplice who had a weapon, and the accomplice intended to injure or kill the person being robbed or anyone else, or the accomplice threatened or intimidated anyone with the weapon; and
- The person accused of committing robbery had something that, to a reasonable person, would look like a dangerous weapon, and/or the person accused of committing robbery announced or pretended they had a weapon that they would use to injure or kill someone.
If it appears that any of these situations might have occurred in a particular case, a Colorado prosecutor may decide to file charges of felony armed robbery, also known as "aggravated robbery," instead of a standard robbery charge.
In the 1983 case People v. Raymer, the Colorado Supreme Court described aggravated robbery as a robbery in which the alleged robber's behavior either increases the risk of death or injury to those being robbed, or makes those being robbed fear that they will be killed or injured. In many aggravated robbery cases, therefore, the testimony of those who were present when the robbery occurred often plays a significant role in determining what actually happened and whether Colorado's "aggravated robbery" law actually describes what the accused person did.
Robbery involving a weapon is a Class 3 felony in Colorado. A person who is convicted of aggravated robbery faces not only the standard range of penalties that apply to all Class 3 felonies, but may also face additional years tacked onto the standard prison term. This is because the Colorado legislature considers armed robbery an "extraordinary risk crime," or one that puts people's lives and health at risk in a particularly severe way. Colorado's criminal laws allow courts to impose additional prison time on people who are convicted of extraordinary risk crimes. Fines, longer parole terms, and other penalties may also be imposed on those who are convicted of aggravated robbery in Colorado.
If you are facing felony armed robbery charges in Colorado, the experienced Colorado Springs felony armed robbery defense attorneys at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C., can help. Timothy Bussey is a former El Paso County and Deputy District Attorney, and as a former prosecutor, Mr. Bussey understands what goes into an aggravated robbery charge and how an experienced, aggressive defense is the best way for an accused person to defend their legal rights and fight for the best possible outcome. Call 719-475-2555 today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Colorado Springs felony lawyer Timothy Bussey at The Bussey Law Firm, P.C. in Colorado represents clients in Colorado Springs and throughout El Paso County, including the cities of Fountain, Manitou Springs, and Monument.
The Bussey Law Firm, P.C.
12 E. Boulder Street
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Phone: (719) 475-2555
Fax: (719) 475-0046