Defending Robbery and Theft Charges in Houston

Have you been charged with a robbery crime in the Houston area? Robbery and burglary penalties in Houston are harsh. If convicted of these crimes, you may spend decades in prison. Even attempted robbery and burglary carry stiff sentences. Due to the seriousness of these crimes and their punishments, you should always consult with a seasoned and experienced criminal defense attorney before speaking to an authority. With more than a decade of work in the court system, I have successfully defended clients against the consequences of felony convictions.

A person can be accused of robbery, theft from person, or aggravated robbery if he or she knowingly and unlawfully takes another person’s property by the use of force or with the use of a deadly weapon. A person can be accused of burglary if they are found to have entered the home or building of another party without the party’s consent and may include the intent to commit theft or another crime. Many of these cases are built on victim statements and eyewitness testimony, which may be uncorroborated, uncertain, or untrue.

Robbery and Burglary Penalties in Texas

Texas treats robbery and burglary as serious felonies, and the range of punishment depends on how the charge is classified.

Robbery is generally charged as a second-degree felony, carrying 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If the state alleges you used a deadly weapon, caused serious bodily injury, or that the victim was 65 or older or disabled, the charge becomes aggravated robbery, a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison.

Burglary penalties depend on the type of structure involved and what you're accused of intending to do once inside. Burglary of a habitation is typically a second-degree felony, and can be charged as a first-degree felony if the building was occupied or if the intent was to commit a felony other than theft. Burglary of a building other than a habitation is usually a state jail felony.

Theft from person, often charged alongside robbery, is tied to the value of the property involved and can range from a misdemeanor to a felony.

These are the general classifications under Texas law. Where your case falls within that range, and what defenses apply, depends on the specific facts, which is why an early consultation matters.

Burglary Allegations

As your attorney, I look for every opportunity to defend you against robbery and burglary charges of any nature, including:

• Robbery
• Theft from person
• Aggravated robbery
• Burglary crime

How I Build Your Defense

Every robbery, burglary, or theft case starts with the same question: does the evidence actually hold up? Many of these charges rest on eyewitness identification or a victim's account of what happened, and those accounts are not always reliable. I start by reviewing the police report, any physical evidence, and the statements made against you, looking for inconsistencies, procedural errors, or facts the state can't actually prove.

From there, I examine whether each element of the charge is supported: was force actually used, was a weapon really involved, was entry into the property truly unlawful. Aggravating factors, like an alleged deadly weapon or an alleged victim over 65, carry the weight of a first-degree felony, so confirming whether those allegations are provable is often where a case turns.

Depending on what the evidence shows, that can mean negotiating for a reduced charge, seeking a dismissal, or taking the case to trial. I have spent more than a decade in the Houston court system doing exactly this, and I build every defense around the specific facts of your arrest, not a standard script.

Start Your Defense Against Robbery Charges Today

If you have been arrested for any of these offenses in Texas, do not try to manage your legal situation without the assistance of a knowledgeable, trustworthy, and aggressive criminal defense attorney. You cannot risk the consequences of dealing with these charges alone. Contact me to find out how I can begin to serve your defense.

Read more about what experience and knowledge I will offer as your Houston criminal attorney.

Contact Jimmy for more information
or call today at 713-759-1800