Movies about bank robberies are fan favorites, always packed with intrigue and action. From popular westerns like The Ballad of Buster Scruggs and The Long Riders to more modern films such as Ambulance and Now You See Me, bank robberies have been romanticized and somewhat glorified. But how often do they happen in real life, and when they do, are they glorious adventures? The short answer is that yes, they do occur, and no, the penalties often make outcomes anything but glorious. If you have been charged with bank robbery, you need a tough criminal defense attorney at bat for you.
California Bank Robberies in the News
There have been multiple bank robberies in the Golden State in recent years, including:
- A pair of individuals were charged with ten bank robberies in Antioch, Benicia, Concord, Sacramento, Suisun City, and Vallejo;
- An Anaheim bank was robbed by a man who also took a hostage before surrendering to police;
- A Lake Forest bank robbery involved a gunshot and a fleeing suspect.
Bank Robbery Penalties
If you think you are safe enjoying the spoils of a bank robbery, if you were not actually there for the heist, think again. Federal law clearly states that you can be criminally penalized for receiving the stolen money. If the amount involved is under $1000, you are facing a year in prison in addition to fines. When the amount exceeds $1,000, it could mean bigger fines and 10 years in a federal prison. Importantly, these are the exact same penalties that the person who actually robbed the bank could face if they managed the heist without making threats or executing any form of violence.
Things get much more sober when a bank robbery includes intimidation. Even without physically harming anyone or shooting off a gun, just the threat of such harm doubles the potential prison sentence to 20 years. If a victim does suffer harm as a result of the bank robbery, another five years can be tacked on, meaning 25 years behind bars. If anyone is killed during the course of bank robbery, the offender is looking at life in prison, with the possibility of the death penalty in some cases.
The Defense You Deserve
A vigorous defense of these kinds of charges must begin with an exhaustive investigation that includes viewing footage of the robbery in question, meeting with witnesses, evaluating forensic evidence, and looking for exculpatory evidence—that which plays in your favor—in the hopes of exonerating you. After getting a good handle on what the prosecutor has to work with, a good defense attorney will develop a strategy to defend you. That could mean a lot of things, including:
- Presenting alternate theories of the case;
- Focusing on technical or procedural errors;
- Demanding accountability for utter constitutional violations by law enforcement or prosecutors.
A Defense You can Trust
The experienced criminal defense attorneys at Boertje & Associates know how to fight back against harsh prosecutors. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our San Diego office today.