Criminal Defense

Facing burglary charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn first- and second-degree elements, prison ranges, evidence, defenses, and the D.C. court process.

Robbery is one of the most serious property-related offenses prosecuted in the District of Columbia. Unlike ordinary theft, a robbery allegation involves claims that property was taken from a person or from the person’s immediate possession through force, violence, sudden snatching, or fear. That distinction exposes an accused person to substantial prison time and can cause the court to impose strict release conditions while the case is pending. If you are being investigated or have been arrested for robbery charges in Washington, D.C., early legal action can make a meaningful difference. Video can be overwritten, witnesses can become harder to locate, and phone or location records may disappear. A criminal defense lawyer in Washington, D.C. can examine whether the government can prove every element, challenge unreliable evidence, and preserve information that supports the defense. What Is Robbery Under Washington, D.C. Law? D.C. Code § 22-2801 defines robbery as taking something of value from another person or from that person’s immediate actual possession by force or violence, sudden or stealthy seizure or snatching, or putting the person in fear. The statute therefore covers more than the stereotypical image of a masked person demanding money. Depending on the facts, prosecutors may charge robbery after allegations involving a fight over property, a purse or phone snatching, threats made during a taking, or an encounter in which property was taken from an area under the complainant’s immediate control. Whether the alleged conduct legally amounts to robbery is a fact-specific question. What Must Prosecutors Prove? The government carries the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Although charging language and jury instructions should be reviewed carefully in every case, the prosecution generally must establish several core issues. A Taking of Something of Value The allegation must involve property with value. Cash, phones, jewelry, bags, vehicles, clothing, cards, and other personal items may qualify. A completed robbery charge generally requires proof that the accused gained possession or control of the property, even if only briefly. Property Taken From a Person or Immediate Possession The property must be taken from the complainant or from the person’s immediate actual possession. This element can become disputed when the object was not physically on the complainant, when several people were nearby, or when the location and control of the item are unclear. Force, Violence, Snatching, or Fear Robbery requires more than an unauthorized taking. The government may rely on evidence of physical force, a struggle, threatening words or conduct, sudden snatching, or circumstances said to have placed the complainant in fear. The precise timing matters: the alleged force or intimidation must have the legally required connection to the taking. Identity and Criminal Intent Prosecutors must prove that the accused was the person responsible and acted with the required criminal intent. Identification evidence, ownership disputes, intoxication, mistake, and the accused person’s understanding of the encounter may all affect this analysis. Robbery Penalties in Washington, D.C. A robbery conviction under § 22-2801 carries imprisonment of at least two years and up to fifteen years. The fine statute may also authorize a substantial financial penalty. A conviction can bring supervised release and long-term consequences involving employment, housing, professional licensing, immigration, education, and firearm rights. The sentence in an individual case is not determined by the statutory range alone. The court may consider the circumstances of the offense, injuries, use of threats, the property involved, the person’s history, acceptance of responsibility, aggravating information, and mitigation presented by the defense. Attempted Robbery Charges A person can face prosecution even when no property was successfully taken. Under D.C. Code § 22-2802, an attempted robbery committed through an overt act is punishable by up to three years of imprisonment, a fine, or both. The line between preparation and a legally sufficient attempt can be important. The defense may examine what the accused allegedly did, how close the conduct came to completion, whether the evidence shows an intent to rob, and whether an innocent explanation fits the proven facts. Robbery While Armed When prosecutors allege that a firearm, imitation firearm, knife, or another dangerous or deadly weapon was used or readily available, they may seek an additional “while armed” charge under D.C. Code § 22-4502. The added exposure can be severe. The statute authorizes an additional term that may reach thirty years for many offenses, and firearm allegations may trigger mandatory-minimum provisions depending on the person’s record and the precise charge. Weapon cases often present separate factual and forensic issues. The defense may challenge whether an object was actually present, whether the witness accurately perceived it, whether the accused possessed or knew about it, whether forensic evidence connects the item to the accused, and whether police recovered evidence lawfully. Related firearm allegations may also overlap with D.C. charges for carrying a pistol without a license or possession of an unregistered firearm. Robbery, Theft, Carjacking, and Assault: Key Differences Robbery Versus Theft Theft centers on wrongfully obtaining or using another person’s property with the required intent. Robbery adds the requirement that property be taken from a person or immediate possession through one of the methods described by the robbery statute. A dispute over force, fear, or where the property was located may therefore affect whether the conduct supports robbery or a different charge. Robbery Versus Carjacking Carjacking focuses specifically on taking a motor vehicle from another person by force, violence, or fear. Robbery can involve many forms of property. Readers facing vehicle-related allegations can learn more in our guide to carjacking charges in Washington, D.C. and our article on unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. Robbery Versus Assault An assault allegation can arise from attempted or threatened physical harm even without a taking. A single encounter may lead to robbery and assault-related counts, especially when an injury or alleged weapon is involved. Separate counts do not relieve the government of proving the elements of each offense. Evidence Commonly Used in D.C. Robbery Cases Robbery cases frequently turn on identification and rapidly collected evidence. Prosecutors may use: Statements

Facing unauthorized use of a motor vehicle charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn the UUV statute, felony penalties, evidence, defenses, and court process.

Charged with carjacking in Washington, D.C.? Learn the elements, mandatory minimums, armed carjacking penalties, evidence, defenses, and court process.

Facing armed robbery charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn robbery penalties, armed enhancements, firearm counts, identification issues, evidence, and defenses.

Facing PFCV charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn the five-year mandatory minimum, qualifying crimes, possession evidence, related charges, and defenses.

Facing unlawful firearm-discharge charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn penalties, self-defense, forensic evidence, related gun charges, and defenses.

Facing felon-in-possession charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn prohibited-person rules, mandatory minimums, possession evidence, searches, and defenses.

Facing unlawful ammunition possession charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn who may possess ammunition, penalties, magazine limits, searches, and defenses.

Facing possession of an unregistered firearm charges in Washington, D.C.? Learn registration rules, penalties, exceptions, searches, and defenses.