When you are charged with a criminal offense, you need a skilled defense lawyer who believes in your rights and aggressively fights for your freedom. Criminal defense attorney Cody Villon takes a personal interest in each client and will be there for you through the entire legal process, doing whatever it takes to get the best results possible. Call him today for a free and confidential consultation.
Our Robbery Defense Lawyer Fights for You
If you or a loved one has been arrested and charged with robbery in Virginia, the consequences can be severe, including the possibility of facing long terms in prison. In addition, a conviction means having a criminal record that may negatively impact education, career, housing possibilities, benefits, and family and social relationships for a lifetime.
With so much at stake, you should not attempt to fight these charges without legal assistance. If you have been accused of robbery, a skilled legal advocate knows how to navigate the justice system and fight for your rights and your freedom.
Robbery defense attorney Cody Villalon has been successfully helping people who have been accused of serious crimes for over 12 years. He knows the local courts, the Richmond prosecutors, and how the system works. He uses this information in building your case and will explore all defense options to negotiate or litigate for a dismissal or a lesser penalty.
Why Call Cody Villalon?
There are many criminal attorneys in Virginia, and it is in your best interest to choose someone you not only feel comfortable with, but who has the experience and resources to get the best outcome possible for your case. Here are some reasons why we believe Coday Villalon is your best choice:
- We are experienced. Cody has dedicated his practice to criminal defense. He possesses more than 12 years of legal experience, has defended more than 1,000 cases, and has spent more than 5,000 hours in court.
- We care about our clients. Cody is a hard-working solo practitioner who takes a personal interest in every case and genuinely cares about his clients’ well-being.
- You will be working directly with Cody. He believes that everyone charged with a crime is guaranteed rights under the law and deserves to be treated with basic human dignity, and never hands off his cases to another lawyer.
- We are available 24/7 for client emergencies.
- We offer a free consultation to analyze your case and determine the best way to move forward.
Take the first step in protecting your rights by calling us today.
How Our Robbery Defense Attorney Can Help You
Cody Villalon knows how important it is to start your defense immediately, before mistakes can be made or evidence can be destroyed. When you have our firm on your side, we will start working for you right away. We will:
- Meet with you to discuss your charges and determine the approach to handling your defense
- Investigate your case and gather evidence such as from surveillance photos and videos, police reports and records, and interviews with witnesses and first responders
- Examine the facts of your arrest and available evidence to look for mistakes made by the police or prosecution in the handling of your case and violations of your rights and use them to build your case
- Prepare you for all hearings and court appearances so you know what to expect and how to act, and prevent you from saying or doing anything that would hurt your case
- Make sure all forms are filed correctly and court appearances are made in a timely manner and that you meet all requirements
- Take depositions from witnesses and arresting officers
- Negotiate and plea bargain with prosecutors for a lesser charge or have your case dismissed
- Take your case to court and litigate aggressively on your behalf and file any appeals if necessary.
Being arrested and charged with a crime doesn’t have to mean you’ll be found guilty. With the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows Virginia criminal and constitutional law, you may have a basis for a robbery defense that can allow you to obtain a favorable plea bargain agreement, reduce charges to avoid prison, or have your charges dropped completely.
As A Robbery Defense Attorney, We Know Your Rights
Both the U.S. Constitution and the Virginia Constitution help protect the rights of individuals accused of crimes. Cody Villalon knows that you have many rights under the law, and violations can lead to a dismissal of your case. These rights include:
- The right to remain silent and not answer questions by police unless an attorney is present
- The right to refuse to say anything to incriminate yourself
- The right to confront witnesses against you
- The right to discovery, of any evidence against you, including any tests performed and information on any expert witnesses the prosecution intends to use
- The right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures in circumstances such as at traffic stops, in your home, or in your car
- The right to have a public, speedy jury trial by an impartial jury
- The right to be represented by an attorney.
We will aggressively fight to make sure all your rights are upheld. As experienced probation violation lawyer, we will use any violations to get your charges lowered or your case dismissed.
Robbery Crimes And Punishments in Virginia Explained
According to Virginia Code 18.2-58, robbery is defined as “the act of taking an item or property that does not belong to you, by use of violence (force) or intimidation, and with the view of depriving the owner of the property’s ownership permanently.” A business is considered a person for purposes of a robbery charge.
Penalties for Robbery in Virginia
Most robberies are classified as felonies, and robbery in Virginia can bring punishments of five years to life in prison. The use of a firearm in the commission of a robbery is a separate felony offense under Va. Code §18.2-53.1, punished with a minimum of three years in prison for a first offense and a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison for a second offense. If convicted of both robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, the sentences will be consecutive. If you or someone you know is facing such charges, consulting with a Richmond felony lawyer can provide invaluable legal guidance.
Cody Villalon knows how these punishments can ruin a person’s life and will do everything possible to build a defense that results in a lesser charge or a dismissal of these charges.
Richmond Robbery Defense Lawyer Knows Defenses
In order to convict you, the prosecutor must prove that you intended to permanently deprive the owner of their property at the time you were taking it and at the time of the taking, you used violence/force/threat/intimidation. Violence includes physical acts of violence, putting a person in fear of serious bodily harm, or presenting or threatening with a firearm or other deadly weapon. All these elements must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Depending on the circumstances, there are several approaches we can take to defend you, including showing:
- Lack of evidence
- You were not in the area when the robbery took place
- Lack of intent. If you had permission or reasonably believed that you had permission to take the property, then you lacked the intent to commit the crime.
- There was no violence or threat involved when you took property.
- Entrapment or police misconduct. If a police officer or an undercover agent convinced you to steal something that you wouldn’t have otherwise taken, it may be entrapment.
- Duress. If you did not steal property voluntarily, but because you were threatened with violence or blackmailed into taking the property, it may be considered duress.
Cody Villalon, a Richmond theft defense lawyer, will carefully review the prosecutor’s case to determine if there is any reasonable doubt about any element of the crime. We will utilize all applicable defenses to help you avoid significant jail time, fines, and other consequences of a criminal conviction.
Lawyer for Robbery Answers FAQs
Being faced with robbery charges is a frightening experience, as the consequences are potentially severe. It’s natural to have concerns and wonder just what you are up against. Here are some answers to questions Cody Villalon is often asked:
What Class felony is robbery in Virginia?
Robbery is a Class 2 felony if the person who commits robbery causes serious bodily injury to or the death of any other person. If the robbery involved using or displaying a firearm in a threatening manner, it is a Class 3 felony.
Should I make a plea deal?
Prosecutors may try to get you to plead guilty, but it is not always advantageous for you to do so. Before you agree to a plea deal, let Cody Villalon examine all circumstances of your case, explain everything involved, and tell you whether a plea deal is a good idea.
When can I get my case dropped?
You may be able to argue that the court should entirely drop your case under certain circumstances. Examples include if the Commonwealth realizes a mistake was made, if they can’t prove the charges, or if you were arrested without probable cause and the evidence against you becomes inadmissible. Alternatively, your case may be dropped at the end of a trial or after agreed rehabilitation.
How much does it cost to hire a robbery defense lawyer?
Legal fees vary, depending on the seriousness of the charges, the evidence against you, and the complexity and what will be involved to resolve the case. Your initial consultation is free, and we will then work out a fee structure that allows the time and effort needed to get the best outcome for your case.
When you have Cody working for you, he will be there for you throughout the entire legal process, addressing your questions and concerns, and aggressively fighting to have your charges lowered or dismissed.
Call Cody Villalon to Defend Robbery Charges
Cody Villalon believes that we are all guaranteed rights under the law, but they exist only as long as there are people that are willing to defend them. As an experienced Richmond defense lawyer, he is proud of the work he does and will aggressively fight for your rights and the type of world he wants his own children to live in. He provides skilled, aggressive legal representation to ensure that his clients have been treated fairly.
Your future and that of your loved ones is too important to risk. Call us today for a free, confidential consultation if you are facing robbery or any other criminal or felony charges, and let us show you what we can do to help. Time is of the essence when you are placed under arrest; the sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start working for you and fighting for your rights and freedom.
Client Testimonial
“If you ever need help, look no further, this is the only phone call you need to make. Cody is the best; he goes above and beyond and there’s no one else I’d rather have in my corner fighting for me than him.” – Asher Casazza (Google Review)
DEFENSE ATTORNEY CODY VILLALON
Cody Villalon is a criminal defense attorney in Richmond, VA representing clients accused of violent offenses and DUIs, and he specializes in serious criminal charges. He possesses more than 10 years of legal experience, has defended more than 1,000 cases, and has spent more than 5,000 hours in court. He is highly professional and well-respected by prosecutors and judges. [ Attorney Bio ]
