Cleveland Robbery Attorneys

Charged with Robbery in Cuyahoga County, Ohio?

Robbery charges in Ohio are felony offenses that can carry lengthy prison sentences, steep fines, and long-term consequences that affect your employment, housing, and personal reputation. Because it involves force or the threat of force, robbery is also treated as one of Ohio’s violent crimes.

At Patituce & Associates, we defend people throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County who are charged with robbery and other serious theft crimes. We understand how high the stakes are, so we approach every case with preparation, discretion, and a commitment to protecting your rights at every stage.

Trust Patituce & Associates With Your Defense

Patituce & Associates has taken more than 400 criminal cases to trial, and we prepare every robbery case as if it may ultimately be decided by a jury. This trial-ready approach matters because prosecutors know when they are facing a defense team that is prepared, experienced, and willing to litigate aggressively when necessary.

When you are facing robbery charges, put our experienced team in your corner.

If you’re facing robbery charges, work with a proven Cleveland criminal defense trial firm. Call (440) 771-1175 right now to get started with a free consultation.

What is Robbery Under Ohio Law?

Robbery is defined in § 2911.02 of the Ohio Revised Code. 

Simply put, robbery occurs when a person commits or attempts to commit a theft and, during that process or while fleeing, does one of the following:

• Has a deadly weapon on or about their person
• Inflicts or attempts to inflict physical harm on another person
• Threatens the use of immediate force

Ohio law defines a “deadly weapon” broadly. It can include not only firearms and knives, but any instrument or object capable of inflicting death, or something specifically designed or adapted to be used as a weapon. Whether an item qualifies as a deadly weapon is often a contested issue in robbery cases.

Importantly, a completed theft is not required under the definition of this law. A robbery charge can be filed even if no property was taken and no one was injured. The allegation of attempted theft, combined with a threat of force, may be enough to support felony charges.

Felony Degrees of Robbery in Ohio

Ohio criminal law can bring felony robbery charges of different degrees, such as:

• First-degree: First-degree felony robbery is also called aggravated robbery. It occurs when a robbery involves a suspect who displays or threatens to use a deadly weapon, who has a dangerous ordnance as defined under Ohio Revised Code 2923.11 (such as an explosive device, poisonous substance, or suppressed firearm), and who threatens to cause serious physical injury to another. Aggravated robbery can also occur when someone attempts to unlawfully deprive a law enforcement officer of their deadly weapon (service weapon or firearm).
• Second-degree: If someone commits or attempts to commit a theft offense, has a deadly weapon under their control, and inflicts, attempts to inflict, or threatens to inflict harm on another person, robbery can be charged as a second-degree felony.
• Third-degree: If someone commits or attempts to commit a theft offense and merely uses or threatens to use force against another, not necessarily with the presence of a weapon, robbery can be charged as a third-degree felony.