Lawyer for Bank Robbery Charges in TX
Bank robbery is glamorized in movies and TV shows, but the reality is strikingly different. Since the Great Depression, almost all banks have become protected by the FDIC, ensuring that all deposits are guaranteed to be backed by the federal government –even if the bank collapses. While this is great news for depositors, it means dire consequences for people convicted of bank robbery, as the crime becomes federal charge. If you have even been questioned in connection with a bank robbery, it’s time to speak with a skilled Houston bank robbery criminal attorney.
All bank robberies are felonies, but the manner in which they were performed will affect the sentence given to a particular criminal. In a Class C bank robbery felony, a person has taken (or attempted to take) property or money from a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association by means of force and violence or intimidation. Note that even the act of handing a teller a note with a warning on it is still considered to be intimidation. The standard sentence for this crime ranges between five and 20 years in prison and 2 and 3 years of probation.
If, however, no violence or intimidation was used and less than $1000 was taken, the crime will result in a sentence of no more than one year. If no violence or intimidation took place and over $1000 was stolen, the maximum prison term will be ten years. Whatever the severity of the charge you are facing, your Houston federal criminal lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea bargain that will leave you with lighter sentencing than normally allotted for the actual crime you committed.
A bank robbery is defined as a Class B felony if the crime involved assault or the threatening of someone by means of a weapon or other dangerous device. In these situations, the criminal will face up to 25 years in prison and a probation period between 3 and 5 years.
The worst form of bank robbery, Class A, is charged when someone has lost their life as a result of the incident. The death need not have occurred in the bank or been a hostage. If someone died when the robbers left the scene, it will still be a Class A felony. When you are convicted of this crime you may face life imprisonment without parole or even the death penalty. If you believe you were wrongly accused, selecting the right Houston federal criminal attorney can literally save your life.
When you are under investigation for a bank robbery, don’t wait until your arrest to speak with an experienced Houston federal criminal lawyer. At the Law Offices of Nathan Mays , we are proud to offer some of the top federal criminal defense in Houston. Call today to schedule your free initial consultation.
