Nationwide Bank Robbery Lawyer Protecting the Rights of Clients

If you have been charged with the crime of robbing a bank, credit union, ATM, or saving and loan organization, you could be facing extreme consequences under state and federal penal codes. Before you appear in federal court, it is advisable that you hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer to represent your case. With a strong defense, it is possible that you may be able to see punishments reduced or even have your case dismissed.

The Law Office of Diane C. Bass has decades of experience defending clients in and around Orange County, CA, who have been accused of crimes like robbing banks or individual persons. If you are a new client, you can schedule your case evaluation at any time by simply calling the attorney’s office.

Is Bank Robbery a Federal Crime? 

Bank robbery is the taking of property or money by force and violence, or by intimidation, from a bank, credit union, or any savings and loan association. Bank robberies are most often charged in federal court if the case involves a federally insured financial institution, and most banks are federally insured.

Bank robberies that involve two or more people can be, and usually will be, charged as conspiracy to commit bank robbery. Conspiracy charges require that two or more people agree to commit a certain crime and that steps are taken in furtherance of that crime. In other words, something is done to carry out the plan. In a conspiracy, different people may play distinct roles in the bank robbery, but they will all be charged with the same offense.

What is the Legal Value of Bank Robbery Eyewitness Identifications?

Most banks or financial lending institutions have video cameras. Bank tellers are trained to use “dye-packs” that release dye onto any money given to a robber. Witnesses will also identify robbers or getaway cars and sometimes even follow them until the police arrive. A bank robbery with the use of a note is considered to meet the requirement that fear or force was used. Most tellers will testify that upon receiving the note that instructed them to give the robber the money, they feared for their lives, even if no gun was displayed.

Eyewitness identifications are often used in bank robbery prosecutions. There are many problems with eyewitness identification, and an experienced federal criminal defense attorney will be able to attack an eyewitness ID in court, either with the use of an expert or with common sense. Law enforcement officers have been known to use “suggestive line-ups,” which can also be attacked by an experienced attorney by way of a motion to suppress the identification due to its suggestive nature.

For instance, a photographic “line-up” will consist of six photographs laid out on one piece of 8 ½” x 11” paper. It’s commonly referred to as a “six-pack.” If one of the photographs stands out for any reason — either the color of the background is different, the person is wearing a different colored top than the others, the person has hair while the others don’t — that can be deemed a “suggestive line-up,” and the identification resulting from that line-up would be thrown out with the possibility of seeing the case dismissed.

What Are the Punishments for Bank Robbery?

Punishment for bank robbery varies, depending on many factors. The most crucial factor at sentencing is the amount of money taken from the bank. The court will also consider the number of victims and whether firearms were used. The use of a toy gun can be punished as if it were a real firearm if the victim(s) believed it was real. The court must also consider the individual’s criminal history and background in determining the appropriate sentence.

What is the Definition of Armed Bank Robbery?

Armed robbery is the unlawful taking of property from another with the use of a firearm. Possession of a firearm during the commission of a bank robbery will add a minimum of five years to the sentence. You must have an experienced attorney when facing bank robbery charges. The procedures and the players in federal court are completely different from state court. An experienced bank robbery attorney can assist you in obtaining bail, trial, plea bargaining, and sentencing. Ms. Bass has extensive experience with these cases and has obtained excellent results for her clients.

Schedule Your Consultation with an Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney

If you or someone you care about has been charged with serious federal crimes, it is important that you reach out to a lawyer experienced with defending clients from these types of charges. The Law Office of Diane C. Bass has an outstanding reputation both in the eyes of past clients and fellow legal professionals. As your lawyer, Ms. Bass will do everything within her power to help defend your case. With a careful examination of the facts and a strong defense, it is possible that some fortunate clients may even see their cases dismissed.

To schedule your, confidential consultation, call 949-577-8368.