What is the sentence for armed robbery in Georgia?

The State of Georgia ranks eighth in the nation for armed robbery crimes. This is an offense that is committed by taking another person’s money or possessions through the use of force and intimidation. Armed robbery sentencing may depend upon the circumstances of the crime and the defendant’s prior criminal history.

Penalties for Armed Robbery in Georgia

The crime of armed robbery is usually charged when someone uses a weapon while forcibly taking another person’s property. A person can be charged with armed robbery even if no weapon was present at the time, but the suspect acted as if he was armed. The court may order a pre-sentence investigation, which is a report that outlines the defendant’s criminal past, employment record, current living environment and family situation. Any victims may speak before the court or read a victim impact statement detailing how the crime affected their life.

Criminals convicted of armed robbery in Georgia can expect a mandatory sentence of 10 years without the possibility of parole. If the crime involved taking a controlled substance from a pharmacy while inflicting bodily injury to another person, the sentence will be at least 15 years. If the victim was 65 years or older, a sentence of 20 years will be given. In some cases, the judge may impose a sentence of life in prison or the death penalty if the crime was extremely heinous or brutal in nature.

Hiring a Georgia Criminal Defense Attorney

Defendants who are facing serious criminal charges need the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer. If you have already been charged with a crime, it’s possible that your attorney may be able to work out a plea agreement with the District Attorney, lessening the sentence or the offense.