La Plata & Waldorf Robbery Lawyer
At the Law Office of Hammad S. Matin, our La Plata criminal defense law practice encompasses a wide range misdemeanor and felony offenses in Charles County, including charges of robbery, burglary and theft. Private property is highly valued in our society, and even minor property offenses are often vigorously pursued by prosecutors, requiring an equally vigorous La Plata & Waldorf robbery lawyer to protect your rights and achieve the best outcome possible.
Robbery and Crimes Against the Person
Robbery is often thought of as a form of theft, and indeed it does involve the taking of property of another. However, the crime of robbery involves direct physical contact or interaction with another and is therefore more personal than other crimes involving the taking of property. For instance, Maryland law classifies several types of crimes as Theft, including motor vehicle theft, bad checks, and embezzlement, among other offenses. Burglary, on the other hand, is classified as a Crime Against Property, along with arson, trespass, and malicious destruction of property. Robbery, however, is included among the Crimes Against the Person, along with kidnapping, assault, extortion, stalking and harassment.
Burglary and robbery are often used interchangeably in the public domain, but the offenses are actually quite distinct, Burglary involves the breaking and entering of a dwelling or other place with the intent to steal or commit a felony inside, while robbery is the taking of property directly from a person by force, threat or intimidation. A robbery may involve an assault, and the two offenses may even be charged together in the same case.
Theft and Shoplifting
Shoplifting or theft may be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending upon whether the value of the item or items in question exceeds $1,000. People are sometimes detained and then arrested for shoplifting or theft while still inside a store, if a security guard or loss prevention officer observes behavior that the guard believes shows an intent to take an item without paying for it. This may not be the case, and you may have a strong defense that a theft did not in fact occur.
Seek Experienced Legal Representation
Whether you are charged with robbery, shoplifting, burglary or theft, we prepare a strong and effective defense using all the legal theories and strategies at our disposal. With former experience as a county prosecutor, we are sensitive to the different types of charges which may be filed and our ability to influence that decision, as well as having charges dismissed in exchange for making restitution of any property taken or damaged. If you have been arrested and charged with a crime in Charles County, contact the Law Office of Hammad S. Matin, P.A. for advice and representation from a skilled and experienced La Plata & Waldorf robbery defense lawyer.
