Under Illinois law, robbery is a criminal offense that involves on stealing property by force or the threat of force. The circumstances of the crime matter greatly, as more dangerous conduct can result in charges of aggravated robbery or armed robbery. In order to understand the differences between these offenses, the following sections will explore Illinois robbery laws and associated penalties for these three variations of robbery crimes.
Robbery
Under 720 ILCS 5/18-1, it is unlawful to steal another person’s property using force or the threat of force. Any person who violates this section is guilty of robbery under Illinois law.
Most commonly, robbery is a Class 2 felony in Illinois. The typical penalties for this type of felony include three to seven years in prison, $25,000 in fines, and four years of probation.
That being said, robbery can become a Class 1 felony, punishable as detailed in the next section. The heightened penalty structure applies if a person commits robbery:
- Against a physically disabled or elderly victim; or
- At a school, day care facility, place of worship or child care facility.
Aggravated Robbery
720 ILCS 5/18-1 also provides the definition of aggravated robbery. The aggravated version of this offense applies when a person commits robbery and:
- Indicates verbally that they are in possession of a dangerous weapon, such as a gun or knife; or
- Delivers a controlled substance to the victim without consent.
Aggravated robbery is a Class 1 felony in Illinois. The typical penalties for this type of felony include four to 15 years in prison, $25,000 in fines, and four years of probation.
Armed Robbery
Under 720 ILCS 5/18-2, it is unlawful to commit robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, including firearms. Any person who violates this section is guilty of armed robbery under Illinois law. Specifically, this offense applies to any person who commits a robbery crime while:
- Carrying a dangerous weapon other than a firearm;
- Carrying or otherwise possessing a firearm;
- Discharging a firearm; or
- Discharging a firearm and causing injury or harm to a victim.
Armed robbery is a Class X felony in Illinois. The typical penalties for this type of felony include six to 30 years in prison and $25,000 in fines. Probation is not available for this level of offense. Additionally, a conviction for armed robbery results in enlarged prison sentences in Illinois. For example, if the offender also discharges a firearm and injures a victim, then the resulting sentence can include 25 years to life in prison.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by calling (309) 827-4300, emailing johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or completing an online form.
(image courtesy of Victor Garcia)