Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

Two men facing burglary charges in Los Angeles reportedly ran from a store with about $20 worth of beer and snacks.

And into a sheriff's cruiser sitting in the parking lot.

Humorous? Perhaps. But what is serious is the need to select an experienced Los Angeles defense lawyer to handle charges that can arise when a drunken escapade goes wrong.

Burglary can be a serious felony charge. A misdemeanor shoplifting charge would be more appropriate. How a defendant is charged is heavily dependent upon the discretion of law enforcement and prosecutors.

What they are convicted of rests on the shoulders of their choice in defense attorneys. This case could result in anything from dropped charges and a clear record, to a felony mark on their permanent criminal record.

The Mercury News reports the two entered a Chevron Food Mart in La Mirada about 4 a.m. and rushed out with $18.76 worth of beer and snacks. Several Los Angeles sheriff's deputies were parked in squad cars in the parking lot. The men were chased down and captured before they got to a car.

The defendants, a 29-year-old Costa Mesa man and a 19-year-old Victorville man, are charged with burglary and petty theft.

The Orange County Register reports the store caught the Jan. 23 incident on surveillance video.

Continue reading "Men face burglary charges in Los Angeles for shoplifting from convenience store" »

A Wildomar resident has been arrested outside Paris Hilton's home after allegedly breaking through a security checkpoint and banging on the celebrity's door, the Californian reported.

Maybe he was lost.

Our defense lawyers represent clients facing stalking charges in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, including Wildomar and Riverside County. Stalking charges are growing increasingly more common, whether involving celebrities are a relationship gone bad. We reported on our Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog earlier this year about a case involving Olympic star Shawn Johnson.

In this most recent case the 36-year-old suspect was booked at the Van Nuys station on suspicion of battery and was held in jail in lieu of $20,000 bail. Police say he rode a bicycle through a gated checkpoint in the community where Hilton lives and ignored commands by guards to stop.

He then reportedly went to Hilton's home and began pounding on the door. When security guards attempted to stop him, he allegedly resisted, resulting in a scuffle that led to the battery charge. A battery charge in Los Angeles alleges that a defendant used force against another person. It can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony.

In this case, the media reports that the suspect also had a bench warrant issued for his arrest last November after he allegedly failed to show up in court in connection with a vandalism charge.

Two months ago, a 31-year-old Redlands man pleaded not guilt to a count of attempted residential burglary after being accused of pounding on Hilton's door while wielding a pair of knives.

A Los Angeles medical marijuana store was robbed late last night. Robbers wearing ski masks and waving guns barged into the Gourmet Green Room around 11 p.m. Thursday, June 18, demanding cash and pot. The three armed men made off with $15,000 in cash and an undisclosed amount of marijuana, escaping in a silver Cadillac driven by a fourth man. While customers were present during the holdup, no one was hurt. Police are investigating a possible link to another pot store robbery in L.A.'s San Fernando Valley.

Medicinal marijuana may be legal in California, but robbery is not. "Robbery is the taking of property from another against their will by means of force or fear," explains expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. Robbery is a serious crime in the state of California and is charged as a felony. A conviction for robbery adds a "strike" to your record under California's harsh Three Strikes Law. The use of guns during the commission of a robbery increases the seriousness of the crime and adds stringent penalties if the perpetrator is convicted and sentenced.

Criminal defense lawyer Rodriguez offers this advice if you are caught in a robbery or other theft in the Los Angeles area:

• Contact an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer like Stephen Rodriguez as soon as possible so your rights will be protected right from the start.


• Gather all witnesses and facts surrounding the accusations so your attorney can thoroughly evaluate your case and determine the most effective course of action.


• Discuss the legal defense process with your attorney. Stephen Rodriguez will explain each step in the defense process, describe what your attorney will be doing, and tell you what you need to do.


• Communicate all information about the case to your attorney. Give your lawyer a complete picture of your past criminal record, present living conditions, medical history or needs, financial status, employment, citizenship and anything else that may affect your case. Be honest with your lawyer. The more information your attorney has, the better he will be able to defend you. Remember, information you provide to your attorney is privileged and cannot be used against you.


• Follow your attorney's instructions. Do not volunteer information to the authorities. If in doubt about anything, check with your attorney first.

A respectable family man, father of four, church deacon, soccer coach and community volunteer put on a wig and mask, took his gun out of the nightstand and tried to rob a bank before surrendering to police. A music minister used a handgun to force tellers to clean out their cash drawers then led police on a high-speed chase before surrendering. A policeman, pillar of his community and former high school valedictorian was arrested for robbing his hometown bank.

Armed robbery is the most dramatic, but burglary, theft and shoplifting are also on the rise. What's unusual is that the crime wave is being committed by the most unlikely crooks, upstanding citizens who have fallen on such hard financial times that theft seems to be the only way out. In each of the cases noted above, the individual charged had fallen into a deep financial hole. Desperation driven by the poor economy, job loss or threat of foreclosure seemed to push each person over the edge from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal.

Recent robberies committed through Craigslist ads are another example of recession-driven crime. Across the country people have been lured by Craigslist bargains only to be robbed when they show up, cash in hand, to purchase the bogus merchandise. Law enforcement officers offer the following tips for avoiding becoming the victim of an online theft scam:

• Keep control the meeting location by choosing the place and time.


• Meet in a public place with other people around.


• Transact business during daylight hours.


• Never go to the meeting site alone.


• Never take cash. Take a personal check, money order or use an online payment service like PayPal.


• If it seems too good to be true, it probably is!

In California theft is a serious crime and armed robbery can result in prison time, restitution, and loss of professional certificates and licenses. Even if life feels desperate, theft "comes with a lifetime of social judgment," warns experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriquez. "Trust cannot be bought. In all circles, honesty is highly valued. A criminal record of theft charges is hard to shake."

If you are charged with theft or robbery, the early hiring of a skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney is crucial. An experienced theft defense attorney like Stephen Rodriguez understands the potential life-changing effect a theft charge can have and will provide the aggressive defense you need. An expert criminal defense attorney may even be able to arrange alternative sentencing so that you can avoid going to jail. If you have been charged with a theft crime, contact Stephen Rodriguez & Associates for a free evaluation of your case.

It's a sad comment on our distressing times. A California man pulled a gun out of his pocket and robbed a Washington convenience store. Videotape of the robbery shows the troubled man, Robert Webb, 42, talking to the frightened clerk, trying to explain. Tears in his eyes, Webb tells the cashier that he's just been fired from his job, that he has to provide for his daughter, that his daughter needs medicine, and that he just couldn't think of anything else to do. While Webb rambles on, his 9-year-old daughter, Meadow, stands miserably at his side, a little girl in a pink jacket forlornly watching her father commit a crime.

"His eyes were tearing up. This guy's hurting inside," convenience store clerk Eric Owners told KING-TV.

"He views himself as being in a desperate situation and had no choice," Kittitas County Sheriff Clay Myers told Shannon Dininny of the Associated Press after watching the surveillance video of the robbery. "He stayed and talked with the clerk. He seemed to be looking for some justification or some level of understanding from the clerk."

While authorities haven't yet captured Webb, his daughter is safe with family friends in Fortuna, California on the north coast. Law enforcement officers in California and across the nation are concerned that petty theft, burglary and robbery will rise the longer the economy remains down. Layoffs and foreclosures are taking a toll. The longer people go without income, the more desperate they become -- and, in desperation, some will turn to crime to solve their financial problems.

In California, it's a disastrous choice. California is tough on crime and the penalty for theft can range from a fine and probation for shoplifting to a prison sentence. Because the convenience store robber pulled a gun, in California he would be charged with armed robbery, a serious, violent felony punishable by 3 to 9 years in the state penitentiary. If the defendant has a prior strike offense, the sentence would be automatically doubled because armed robbery is a Three Strikes offense under California law, explains expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. Even if you're desperate, that seems like a horrendous risk for a couple of hundred dollars.

Buying, acquiring, possessing or concealing stolen property is a crime in Los Angeles and in the state of California. With the disastrous economy expected to drive up theft rates in Los Angeles and across the country (see our Feb. 23 post), you need to be aware of California laws about receiving stolen property, warns expert Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. If you buy or accept property that has been stolen through theft, fraud, deceit, embezzlement or taken by any other unlawful means, you are committing a crime.

People can unwittingly purchase stolen goods thinking they're getting an incredible bargain. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you purchase a luxury watch from a street vendor or pick up a new, brand-name TV at a flea market, the chances are high that the merchandise is either fraudulent or stolen. You could wind up charged with purchasing stolen goods.

Sometimes, people wind up in trouble with California's stolen goods law by allowing a friend or relative to store unlawfully acquired items in their home or garage. Don't allow yourself to be duped. Make certain you know what is being stored on your property and where it came from. It can be hard to prove your innocence if you're found with a garage full of expensive DVD players and no bill of sale.

LA criminal defense attorney Rodriguez says there are two important legal points that affect charges involving receipt of stolen property and provide an avenue for effective defense. To be convicted, the defendant must:

• know that the goods were stolen at the time he purchased or received them, or


• have purchased or accepted the goods with the intention of aiding the thief.

"Depending on the value of the property in question and the discretion of the district attorney, this crime could be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony in California," Rodriguez points out.

Having an astute criminal defense attorney like Stephen Rodriguez on your side can make all the difference in how your case is charged if you are arrested for possession of stolen property. An experienced criminal defense attorney like Rodriguez who has lengthy experience not only representing Los Angeles residents charged with receiving stolen property but also in dealing with the Los Angeles prosecutor's office on such matters, knows all the ins and outs of presenting a case to achieve the best possible outcome for the defendant.

When the economy goes down, crime rates go up. That's the general consensus, but reality is more complicated, according to law enforcement officers, economists and criminologists. A poor economy may cause Los Angeles crime rates to ratchet up a notch or two in some categories, but a wholesale crime surge is seen as unlikely.

"Everybody thinks it's just a law of nature, but that's just not true. There are a lot of things more powerful than the economy operating all the time," David Kennedy, director of the Center for Crime Prevention at the John Jay College of Criminal Studies in New York, recently told Columbus Dispatch reporter Elizabeth Gibson.

National news reports of distraught, destitute workers killing themselves and the families they can not longer support may have skewed public perception. Crimes of such horrific magnitude, while tragic, are rare. Morals, ethics and social structure continue to provide most people with a strong incentive against crime. When crime rates go up in a down economy, University of Missouri-St. Louis sociologist Richard Rosenfeld said it doesn't mean that law-abiding citizens are turning to crime, rather it indicates that experienced criminals have found a lucrative market for cheap, stolen goods.

While a shrinking economy and a bone-dry job markert are eventually expected to have an impact on crime rates, it's petty crime -- small-time thefts, burglary and shoplifting -- that is expected to increase, not major felonies, experts say. In a study of crime data from 1979 to 1997, Ohio State University associate professior of economics Bruce Weinberg found that two situations most affect crime rates:

1. Crime goes up when the economy is good because more people have expensive items to steal.


2. Crime goes up when unemployment goes up among poorly educated men, those with no more than a high school education.

Weinberg found that the greatest increases in crime occur when those two factors exist in close proximity; that is, when there is wealth near unemployment. According to Weinberg, crime can be expected to increase in wealthy pockets of Los Angeles that are surrounded by lower-income areas that historically bear the initial brunt of unemployment when the economy turns sour.

A scan of community police logs already indicates a small increase in misdemeanor thefts of convenience: shoplighting and thefts from cars, open garages and unlocked homes. But while there are pockets of crime; overall, state-wide crime rates have remained about the same. "Criminals are criminals," said one burglary unit officer, noting that the unit's suspect pool remains the same in good and bad economic times.

The "Bel-Air Burglar" is finally behind bars. After a three-year investigation, Los Angeles, California police announced they have arrested one of two men believed to be responsible for a multi-million dollar crime wave in L.A.'s toniest neighborhoods. Troy Thomas, 45, one of the suspected masterminds of a burglary gang the media dubbed the "Hillside Bandits" was arrested Saturday. Thomas pleaded not guilty to two charges of residential burglary in January and March of last year, according to the Los Angeles Times. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bail. More charges are expected.

Preying on L.A.'s elite, Thomas and his cohorts are suspected of committing more than 150 burglaries and taking more than $10 million in valuables. Using sophisticated technology, the burglary crews were able to bypass elaborate security systems and surveillance cameras.

Under California law, entering a building with the intent to commit theft or another felony is classified as burglary. Residential, or First Degree, burglary can involve a home, attached garage, boat, trailer, railroad car, aircraft, warehouse or the inhabited portion of a building. You don't have to actually steal anything to be charged with burglary; intent is enough to bring a charge.

First degree burglary is a serious felony. A "strike" offense under California's tough Three Strikes law, a conviction doubles the sentence of subsequent offenses. In California, burglary generally carries of sentence of 2, 4 or 6 years in state prison.

In defending burglary, the key is intent, said Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez. If the person intends to steal or commit a felony when entering a residence or other structure, then burglary has occurred. "The prosecutor does not have to prove that the theft or felony occurred;" Rodriguez explained, "only that it was intended at entry." Lack of stolen goods can make it difficult for the prosecution to prove intent and often provides the best defense against a burglary charge, Rodriguez noted.

Other common burglary defenses include cases where the defendant has a legitimate reason to be on the premises and mistaken identity. Burglary and other theft crimes -- including robbery, shoplifting, identity theft, embezzlement and grand theft auto -- require immediate and astute criminal defense representation. For more information on theft crimes, visit the website of Rodriguez, Lewis & Kahn.

Amidst the economic doom and gloom, there's good news for folks who live in the City of Angels. Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton announced last week that crime in the city of Los Angeles has declined by 3% with gang-related crime dropping 11% since this time last year. Violent crime is down 4.8% overall, Bratton told the Los Angeles Police Commission, a civilian panel that oversees the LAPD. He provided the following breakdown on Los Angeles the crime statistics:

• Homicide down 8.7%


• Gang-related murder down 26.6%


• Rape down 14%


• Aggravated assault down 7.1%


• Robbery down 1.8%


• Burglary down 1.9%


• Grand theft auto down 4.4%


• Burglary from vehicles down 2.1%


• Personal theft down 1.4%

While the newly released figures are laudatory, criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez warns that the L.A. crime decrease may be short-lived. National law enforcement experts are already noticing an increase in misdemeanor crimes like petty theft and shoplifting. Felony robbery, particularly bank robbery, is also on the rise nationally. People hard hit by the economic collapse, particularly the growing legions of unemployed, are turning to crime, particularly theft, as a last resort for the money and things they need.

Escalating home foreclosures -- experts appearing on CBS' 60 Minutes last night estimated that 8 million American will lose their homes in the next year -- are forcing more people into the streets, many with nowhere else to go. Homeless shelters are full, and some have even been forced to close as the donations that support them dry up. Soup kitchens are serving record crowds. Many of these people do not qualify for assistance programs that are already struggling to serve growing numbers of needy people. Adding insult to injury, financially strapped cities and counties are being forced to curtail services just when they're needed most.

Put together, national law enforcement experts say it's a recipe for disaster. Any time the fabric of society tears, any time social systems break down, crime increases. When they feel there are no options, when they are desperate to provide for their families and their children, normally law-abiding citizens will turn to crime. If you become a victim of economic pressures you can't control, seek the services of expert Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Stephen Rodriguez. He'll fight for your rights.

After a long day spent Christmas shopping, the SUV was filled with holiday goodies: a plasma screen TV for dad, something sparkly for mom, an Xbox for their son, and an iPod for their daughter. The couple parked in front of a nice restaurant, locked up and went inside to celebrate with dinner and a few drinks. Ninety minutes later, they were horrified when they returned to their car to find the rear window smashed and all their gifts gone. They were devastated.

It's a scene police and criminal defense attorneys say is playing out far too often in L.A. mall parking lots and in shopping districts, particularly this holiday. One more fallout from the poor economy, theft, burglary and shoplifting are on the rise in Los Angeles and across the country. "Criminals are Christmas shopping this time of year," said Police Lt. Heinz von Eckartsberg.

Most thieves are opportunists. If they see packages through your car window or you leave your car unlocked in your driveway or you leave your garage open, thieves are only too willing to accept what they view as an invitation to steal. Thieves are just waiting for you to make a mistake. To deter thieves, police recommend that women keep handbags strapped across their bodies rather than in their hands. Men should carry wallets in front, not back, pockets.

To protect your purchases, Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Stephen Rodriguez cautions holiday shoppers to take a few safety precautions:

• Roll up all windows, close sunroofs and lock all car doors.


• Don't do all your shopping in one trip.


• Shop with a friend; don't shop alone.


• Don't leave valuables or packages in plain view. When shopping, take a car with a lockable trunk or at least cover purchases with a blanket.


• If you stow packages in your car but plan to continue shopping, first move your car in case you're being watched.


• Don't walk to your car alone. Some stores and malls offer security escorts to your vehicle.


• Take advantage of valet services.


• Park in lighted areas and watch for loiterers when you walk to your car. If you feel uneasy, do not go continue to your car. Return to the store and contact security or police.

When you get home, close and lock your garage before you unload your purchases and always keep the connecting door between your house and garage locked. Don't store gifts in your car trunk.

Theft, burglary, robbery and shoplifting are crimes in California and can carry fines, jail time and a criminal record that can make it difficult to find a job. The Los Angeles law offices of Stephen Rodriguez can tell you what to expect from California theft laws if you are caught stealing and provide you with the best possible defense.

Financial desperation often leads to desperate acts. In California, an unemployed money manager lost a fortune and killed his family in a tragic murder-suicide. In Ohio, a 90-year-old widow shot herself as deputies arrived to evict her from her home of 38 years.

The first wave of violent fallout from the current economic crisis seems to be inward. People under severe financial stress who feel there's no way out of their problems are taking the ultimate way out. Calls to suicide-prevention hot lines have risen about 20% in the past year with many of the calls about money troubles. Law enforcement specialists fear crime rates will rise next.

A tremendous number of people in America feel overwhelmed by debt or threatened by the loss of their home or savings or retirement funds. "It's that sense of having the rug pulled out from under them," explained the Rev. Canon Ann Malonee, vicar of Trinity Church in Manhattan, located just a block from the World Trade Towers disaster. Malonee said people's response to the worst economic crisis since the depression is reminiscent of 9/11.

Historically, suicide rates increase during times of economic hardship. And not far behind are crime rates. The longer our economic woes continue, the greater the impact they will have on people's individual lives. Businesses are struggling, bankruptcies increasing, layoffs and plant closings escalating, evictions skyrocketing, and repossessions rising. As the financial noose tightens and people can't pay their bills, they start defaulting on home loans, car loans, credit card payments. Like a house of cards, one financial problem leads to another and another until everything collapses.

The extreme stress takes a toll on people's psyche. Normally rational, patient, hard-working people panic. They convince themselves that pocketing a couple of bills from the register, sneaking office supplies into their briefcase, using a customer's credit card number or shoplifting a couple of items won't hurt anyone. Petty theft, shoplifting, embezzlement, identity theft and fraud escalate when people run short of money. Burglary, robbery and armed robbery are also apt to increase the longer the recession drags on. The news has already reported incidents of bank robbery and ATM holdup sprees.

Just as worrisome is that fact that many people take out their stress on their family. Financial problems are a touchstone for family strife. Social workers worry that domestic violence and spousal and child abuse will escalate, particularly where people turn to alcohol or drugs to avoid their problems.

You should realize that the courts do not recognize desperation as a defense if you commit a crime. If you break the law, talk to a skilled criminal defense attorney about your options. But don't wait until you're at the breaking point. Seek help. City, county and state agencies, as well as many churches, provide many free services.

Residents in West Los Angeles may finally be able to sleep better. The "Silverware Bandit" is under arrest. Police have arrested a suspect they believe is responsible for at least 15 home invasions and robberies in West Los Angeles and another string of robberies in Santa Monica.

Since the end of May the Westside neighborhood has felt like it was under attack. Neighbors up in arms about what they termed a "mini-crime wave" organized neighborhood watch groups to protect themselves. While police shared residents' concerns and did increase police resources to the area, they pointed out that violent crime is down in Los Angeles.

The home invasion robberies on the Westside targeted mostly elderly women living alone in single-story homes. Since the end of May a man in a ski mask hit more than a dozen homes, stealing jewelry and money and leaving his victims traumatized. Neighborhood residents said they didn't feel safe and many still don't, despite the arrest. They fear the suspect may have had an accomplice who is still on the loose. At least one longtime elderly resident frightened by the violent thefts has moved out and other residents have installed alarms, fences and other security devices.

Violent crime on the Westside decreased 4% between January and August this year, 6% citywide, according to LAPD statistics. Homicides, rapes, burglaries and property crimes are all lower than at this time last year in West LA; but the robbery rate has held constant.

To protect yourself from robbery and burglary:

• Make your home an unattractive target. Trim shrubs and trees away from windows and doors. Install motion sensors on outdoor lights. Install light sensors on porch lights that turn on automatically at dark. Fence your yard and padlock the gate.


• Make it hard for robbers to break in. Install deadbolt locks, safety chains and double-pane windows. Don't leave extra keys under the mat or in a flower pot. Don't leave keys in the locks on the inside of the door where robbers can break a pane of glass and reach in to unlock the door. Keep the door to an attached garage locked. Keep a metal rod or broomstick in the track of sliding glass doors.


• Install an alarm system or sign up for a security service.


• When you leave home or travel, purchase light timers ($10) to turn lights on and off. Look for timers that allow you to vary the on/off times daily. A device can be purchased for about $90 that opens and closes blinds. Stop the mail and newspapers. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house and park a car in your driveway. Provide him with emergency contact phone numbers.

Two teenagers in Orange County have been charged with breaking into their school and hacking into computers in order to alter their grades. They're accused of computer fraud, burglary, conspiracy and other charges, all of which could add up to 38 years in prison.

Allegedly, the two teens broke into their school using a stolen master key, hacked into computers using the stolen passwords of their teachers and changed their grades from D's and F's to A's and B's. They also allegedly downloaded spyware on the computers so that they could network into the computers from home. They also allegedly changed the grades of 12 other students.

All of these crimes are serious, especially because the grades are considered public record, stealing the passwords of teachers is identity theft and the crimes happened on a school, which is public property. While these charges are likely first-time offenses, the severity is pretty high. Burglary, fraud, identity theft, and Internet crimes all carry fines, jail time and other penalties, and that coupled with altering information on state owned computers will dramatically affect these two young men. These are all major felonies.

The State of California, as well as the City of Los Angeles, have a number of laws in place governing everything from DUI standards to weapons charges. However, there's a major problem that arises from time to time that ruins not only the system, but the public's trust in that system. That problem is police corruption.

Law enforcement officials throughout California have been uncovered committing a myriad of crimes:

In Blue Lake, a chief was accused of sexually abusing/raping his wife, of having a cache of weapons that included James Bond-like pistols which could arm a small platoon.

An assistant Sheriff in Orange County was charged with "six felony charges, including perjury and misappropriating public funds for personal use, that were added by a grand jury last week to a previous list of criminal allegations."

A member of the LAPD pleaded guilty in May to leading a robbery ring which also framed gang members for their crimes.

Actions such as these point to obvious flaws in the legal system, because the crimes often have to be fairly outrageous in order to bring about a conviction of these officers. Theft, sexual offenses and other felonies have been found in each of these instances.

Burglary and robbery are often confused. While both involve theft, under the law they are quite different and carry different penalties.

Burglary is the act of entering a building with the intent to steal property or commit another felony. The actual theft or felony does not have to actually be committed; entry with intent to commit a theft or felony is enough to result in a burglary charge. Burglary is a felony punishable by incarceration and significant fines that results in a permanent criminal record. First degree burglary is a strike offense in California.

• First degree burglary, often referred to as residential burglary, involves entry into a home, attached garage, boat, floating home, trailer, railroad car, aircraft, warehouse or the inhabited portion of a building. First degree burglary is a serious felony and a strike offense in California.


• Second degree burglary covers burglaries of businesses, stores and vehicles. Generally classed as misdemeanors, second degree burglary can be charged as a felony.

Robbery is the taking of property from another person against his will by means of force or fear. Robbery is a serious and violent felony and a strike offense in California. If convicted of robbery, you will serve time in a state prison.

• Strong arm robbery occurs when simple physical force is used.


• Armed robbery occurs when the force used involves a gun or other deadly weapon.

The difference between burglary and robbery is that robbery involves the threat or use of force in a person-to-person confrontation. For example, stealing an unoccupied car from a sidewalk or garage is the commission of second degree burglary. However, forcing a person from his car to steal the vehicle -- carjacking -- is a form of robbery.

-LegalPro