Robbery Charges in Luzerne County, PA: What You Need to Know

If you have been charged with robbery in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, you are facing a serious felony offense that can carry years — or even decades — in prison.

While robbery falls under the broader category of theft crimes, it is treated far more severely under Pennsylvania law because it involves force, violence, or the threat of harm.

Sklarosky Law represents individuals charged with felony robbery offenses in Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Pittston, Kingston, Dallas, Mountain Top, and surrounding communities.

Understanding the degree of robbery charged against you is critical to understanding your exposure and defense strategy.

What Is Robbery Under Pennsylvania Law?

The key difference between theft and robbery is force.

Theft typically involves taking property without permission. Robbery, however, involves taking property while using force, threatening force, or putting someone in fear of injury.

For example:

• Shoplifting from a store is generally charged as retail theft.

• Threatening a cashier with a weapon to obtain money is robbery.

Because robbery involves violence or the threat of violence, it is always charged as a felony in Pennsylvania.

Degrees of Robbery in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law divides robbery into three degrees. Each degree is a felony and carries significant prison exposure.

First-Degree Robbery (Felony 1)

First-degree robbery is the most serious robbery charge in Pennsylvania. A conviction can result in up to 20 years in prison.

You may be charged with first-degree robbery if, during the commission of a theft, you:

• Inflict serious bodily injury;

• Threaten another person with serious bodily injury;

• Intentionally place someone in fear of immediate serious bodily injury; or

• Commit or threaten to commit another first- or second-degree felony.

Importantly, actual injury is not required. The threat alone may be enough.

Example: Two individuals enter a convenience store armed with weapons and threaten to shoot the cashier unless money is handed over. Even if no shots are fired, the threat may support a first-degree robbery charge.

Because of the severe penalties, these cases require immediate and aggressive defense.

Second-Degree Robbery (Felony 2)

Second-degree robbery carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

This charge applies if, during a theft, a person:

• Causes bodily injury; or

• Places another person in fear of bodily injury (less than “serious” bodily injury).

The distinction between serious bodily injury and bodily injury often determines whether the charge is graded as a first- or second-degree felony.

Third-Degree Robbery (Felony 3)

Third-degree robbery is still a felony and can result in up to 7 years in prison.

This charge may apply if a person uses any amount of force during a theft — even minimal force.

For example:

• Physically grabbing property from someone's hands;

• Shoving someone aside while taking an item;

• Using slight force to retain stolen property.

Even a brief physical struggle can elevate a theft into a robbery charge.

Why Robbery Charges Are Aggressively Prosecuted in Luzerne County

Robbery cases are taken seriously by prosecutors in Luzerne County because they involve public safety concerns. Many robbery cases also include:

• Firearms charges

• Conspiracy charges

• Assault charges

• Mandatory minimum sentencing issues

In some cases, federal charges may also be implicated depending on the circumstances.

The grading of the offense, the alleged use of a weapon, prior criminal history, and the specific facts of the case all impact potential penalties.

Defending Robbery Charges in Luzerne County

Every robbery case turns on the facts.

Common defenses to robbery include:

• Lack of intent to commit theft

• Mistaken identity

• Insufficient evidence

• Surveillance inconsistencies

• Challenging “serious bodily injury” classification

• Suppression of statements or evidence

In many cases, early intervention by a Luzerne County criminal defense lawyer can significantly impact charging decisions and case strategy.

Talk to a Luzerne County Criminal Defense Attorney Today

If you or a loved one is facing robbery charges in Luzerne County or Northeastern Pennsylvania, you should speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.  Early action matters.

Call (570) 283-1200 or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential consultation today.