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Robbery is one of the most severely punished crimes in Pennsylvania. While many people confuse robbery with theft, the law draws a sharp and critical distinction: robbery is a theft committed with the use or threat of force. Because of this element of violence or intimidation, Delaware County prosecutors treat robbery as a high-priority felony, aggressively seeking maximum prison sentences and mandatory minimums when weapons are involved.

If you are facing robbery charges in Delaware County, the stakes could not be higher. A conviction will result in a permanent felony record, the loss of your constitutional rights, and years—potentially decades—in state prison. The defense attorneys at SKA Law Group understand how local prosecutors build their cases. We will meticulously review the evidence, challenge witness identifications, and fight tirelessly to protect your freedom.

Understanding Pennsylvania Robbery Laws (18 Pa.C.S. § 3701)

In Pennsylvania, a person is guilty of robbery if, in the course of committing a theft, they use force, threaten force, or intentionally put another person in fear of immediate bodily injury. The grading of the offense depends entirely on the level of force used or threatened.

First-Degree Felony Robbery (F1)

This is the most serious robbery charge, punishable by up to 20 years in state prison and a $25,000 fine. You can be charged with an F1 robbery if, during a theft, you:
Inflict serious bodily injury upon another person.
Threaten another with or intentionally put them in fear of immediate serious bodily injury (e.g., pointing a gun or a knife).
Commit or threaten immediately to commit any first- or second-degree felony.

Note: If the object of the robbery is a controlled substance, it is automatically graded as a First-Degree Felony.

Second-Degree Felony Robbery (F2)

An F2 robbery charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. This charge applies if, during a theft, you:
Inflict bodily injury upon another person (an injury that is not considered “serious”).
Threaten another with or intentionally put them in fear of immediate bodily injury.
Take money from a financial institution (like a bank) by making an oral or written demand to an employee.

Third-Degree Felony Robbery (F3)

Even the slightest use of force elevates a theft to an F3 robbery, which is punishable by up to 7 years in prison and a $15,000 fine. This charge applies if you physically take or remove property from the person of another “by force however slight” (e.g., snatching a purse or grabbing a phone out of someone’s hand).

Defense Strategies for Robbery in Delaware County

Because robbery carries such severe penalties, it is crucial to mount an aggressive defense. At SKA Law Group, we do not accept the police narrative as fact. We employ a variety of proven defense strategies, including:

Challenging the Element of Force: If we can prove that no force or threat of force was used, we can argue that the charge should be downgraded from felony robbery to a lesser theft offense, drastically reducing the potential penalties.
Mistaken Identity: Robberies often happen quickly and in high-stress situations, making eyewitness identification notoriously unreliable. We scrutinize police line-ups, review surveillance footage, and present alibi evidence to prove you were not the perpetrator.
Lack of Intent to Steal: Robbery requires the intent to commit a theft. If you were attempting to retrieve property that you genuinely believed belonged to you, the required criminal intent for theft (and therefore robbery) may be absent.
Fourth Amendment Violations: If the police recovered stolen property or weapons through an illegal search of your home, vehicle, or person, we will file a Motion to Suppress to have that evidence thrown out of court.

Contact SKA Law Group Today

Do not wait to see what the prosecutor will offer. If you have been arrested for robbery, you need an aggressive defense attorney immediately. Contact SKA Law Group today to schedule a confidential consultation. We will evaluate your case, explain your options, and build a defense strategy designed to protect your future.