Robbery

Published on: October 16, 2013

Dixie, Levy & Gilchrist County Criminal Defense Lawyer :: Why You Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Levy, Gilchrist & Dixie County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

If you have been arrested for or charged with a crime in Dixie, Levy or Gilchrist County, it is important to that you obtain legal representation as soon as possible. Why? Despite the severity of the charges you face, a good criminal defense lawyer can explain your rights throughout all stages of the criminal process and help you make the most informed decisions regarding your case. Most importantly, a criminal defense attorney can be the difference between a reduction of charges or dismissal and a jail or prison sentence.

At Whittel & Melton, our Dixie County Criminal Defense Lawyers have extensive experience in defending people that have been arrested and accused of every type of criminal offense. Our firm handles all types of criminal charges – from Driving While License is Suspended or Revoked and serious DUI offenses to drug crimes, violent crimes and even juvenile offenses. We stand ready to defend clients at every stage of the criminal process, beginning with the arrest. If you have been arrested in Cross City, Horseshoe Beach or the surrounding area, a Dixie County Criminal Defense Attorney at Whittel & Melton can make sure you understand the charges you are up against. Contact us today online or call 866-608-5529 to learn more about how we can assist you.

Published on: July 3, 2012

Gainesville Man Arrested for Carjacking :: Whittel & Melton

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

An 18-year-old Gainesville man was arrested early Saturday morning on charges related to carjacking.

The man is accused of battering a friend with whom he had allegedly been doing drugs and then stealing the friend’s car.

Later, a motorcyclist apparently spotted the man on top of a car that was moving on I-75. The motorcyclist, reportedly about 70 years old, stopped to help the man.

The accused allegedly told the man he needed his motorcycle to get away from his father, whom he feared was going to kill him.

According to the arrest report, the man pushed the motorcyclist off of his bike and began beating him, but was not able to take the motorcycle.

The report indicates the man abandoned the car he allegedly had stolen but was found a short time later.

Police claim the man told them he had used mushrooms and drug known as spice.

Florida law defines carjacking as the forceful taking of a car from a person in their presence. Carjacking is classified as first-degree felony carrying consequences of up to 30 years in state prison. Due to the fact that this crime involves the use of threats, force and possibly weapons it carries stricter penalties than a grand theft auto charge. Carjacking is actually considered a form of robbery, which is why being arrested for this crime is a grim issue. Prosecutors are zealous about pursuing convictions and lengthy prison sentences for crimes of violence, so it is vital to retain a Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer right away to provide an aggressive defense for your case.

With your future and freedom on the line, it is essential to perform a thorough investigation into the charges against you in a timely manner in order to mount the most effective defense. The Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton will do whatever it takes to make sure your rights are protected. We believe in the presumption of innocence and can provide you with the strong defense you deserve.

It is important to exercise your rights and refrain from answering any police questions before retaining a criminal defense attorney. Many individuals accused of crimes succumb to police pressure and make incriminating statements they later regret. Regardless of the circumstances you are facing, the Florida Criminal Defense Lawyers at Whittel & Melton can manage the situation and seek out any possible defense strategy to fight and avoid the severe penalties associated with a carjacking charge.

Published on: November 18, 2011

Tampa Bank Robbery Defense Attorneys Whittel & Melton :: Amateur Comedian Accused of Robbing Local SunTrust Bank Twice

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Officials with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a Citrus Park, Florida amateur comedian for allegedly robbing a SunTrust Bank, twice.

According to police, the man allegedly entered the SunTrust Bank on Tuesday, claimed he had an explosive device, demanded money and fled the scene. On Thursday, detectives said the same man targeted the bank again, requesting money from the same teller.

Witnesses supposedly saw the man exit the bank and gave a description of his physical being and car to authorities.

The man was supposedly known to investigators for past events, and was picked up, positively identified and later arrested.

The man has supposedly performed at open mic nights for comedy clubs throughout Tampa. He has performed at a comedy club in Carrollwood, FL several times this year.

The man faces numerous charges, including robbery and possession of cocaine. He has supposedly been arrested before for similar charges.

Robbery in the state of Florida is considered the intentional and unlawful taking of money or property from another person while endorsing threats, violence, force or assault. The crime of robbery is a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, up to 15 years of probation and a maximum of $10,000 in fines. However, since most banks are federally insured, bank robbery can be amplified to a federal offense. This means that if you are charged with bank robbery, not only are you facing a possible Class A, B or C felony you must also face federal prosecution, which can be quite aggressive considering the government’s resources. The type of felony you are charged with depends on whether weapons or violence was inflicted, if anyone was injured and how much money was taken. If a weapon was used, the penalties for this crime are often enhanced, but even if there was no use of weapon in the robbery, a conviction can carry a prison sentence of anywhere between one and 10 years.

Today’s technology has made evidence against bank robberies, including credit unions and savings and loans associations, much stronger due to several factors:

• High-technology security systems
• Exploding dye packs located in the money
• Locator devices
• Marked bills
• Silent alarms
Charges of bank robbery can damage you and your family’s life in more ways than one. Not only do you run the risk of being prosecuted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but you ultimately face the possibility of hefty prison terms, probation, parole, large fines and a record that could limit all aspects of your future life. The Florida Bank Robbery Defense Attorneys at Whittel & Melton can discuss your best line of defense to combat federal charges and help you avoid a conviction with potential prison time.

Published on: March 21, 2011

Gainesville, FL Criminal Lawyer :: Alachua County Woman Recently Released from Prison Arrested for Robbery

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A Florida woman just released from state prison earlier this month was arrested by the Gainesville Police Department Sunday night for robbery by sudden snatching.

The Gainesville Sun reported the woman was charged with two counts of robbery by sudden snatching. The nearly identical crimes took place at motels on Southwest 13th St. where the male victims say they were speaking with the woman when she allegedly grabbed hundreds of dollars from their wallets and drove away in a black Chevy Impala.

The woman told police she took less than $100 from each man. As of Monday, she was being held at the Alachua County jail.

The robberies were reported on March 11 and 18. This was within two weeks from the woman’s release from prison on March 4, after serving 10 months for convictions of grand theft, credit card fraud and providing false information to a pawn broker.

Robbery by sudden snatching means taking money or some other property from a person with the intent to momentarily or everlastingly rob the victim or owner of the money or property and in the process the victim became aware of the theft. The woman is most likely facing a felony of the third degree since there was no reported weapon or firearm used to carry out the robbery.

Robbery is a crime of dishonesty and can be used in court for impeachment purposes. As a general rule, if you have a conviction for any crime of dishonesty a judge or jury is permitted to hear so even in the most remote of matters, if you plan on testifying. It has been the rule that this goes to your credibility of a witness. Critics often argue that it is a form of double jeopardy, but at least in Florida, it’s quite common.

Published on: March 1, 2011

Land O’ Lakes, FL Criminal Lawyer :: Man Accused of Snatching Elderly Woman’s Purse

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 24-year-old Land O’ Lakes man was arrested on Tuesday and charged with robbery by sudden snatching, according to the Pasco County Sherriff’s Office report.

A 77-year-old Land O’ Lakes woman told police she was out shopping at a Kmart store on Feb. 11 when the robbery happened. She walked back to her car, opened the door and sat down in the driver’s seat when a man came up to her vehicle, grabbed her purse and ran.

The woman chased the man who snatched her purse and saw him get inside a black vehicle. She later found that her tires had been slashed. A police report indicated that her credit cards were used in Tampa.

When the suspect was contacted by authorities, he said that another man stole the purse, but he was present while the robbery occurred.

The man charged with robbery by sudden snatching lingered in jail Wednesday with bail set at $5,000.
Robbery is referred to as the use of violence or the threat of violence to take another person’s property. Common types of Robbery include purse snatching, carjacking and bank robberies. Depending on a defendant’s criminal history and the facts of any given arrest, a robbery can be charged as a third degree felony up to a life felony.