The state of Indiana has a three strikes law, meaning a person convicted of certain offenses three times faces a mandatory prison sentence much longer than would normally be the case. For this reason, a person charged with a third felony needs the help of robbery attorneys in Fort Wayne, IN.
Three strikes laws are meant to target habitual offenders but many people have protested the laws because they can impose harsh penalties on individuals for relatively minor crimes. Indiana’s law does focus on felonies, but this can mean a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole if a person has already been convicted of two previous felonies. It becomes apparent why robbery attorneys in Fort Wayne, IN are essential for legal representation when someone is charged with a third felony.
Robberies are, understandably, considered violent crimes. Even if a person is not physically harmed, the threat of physical harm is implicit. The victim of this crime loses property of some sort and may be psychologically traumatized afterward. The robbery charge is more serious and carries more severe penalties if the thief was carrying a weapon or inflicted physical harm. There are different classifications of robberies, such as aggravated robbery and armed robbery. A person who shoots someone while robbing this person may face multiple charges, such as armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.
An attorney such as Richard Thonert provides legal representation when a person has been charged with a third felony in Indiana. Lawyers use various strategies to reduce the severity of the situation. They may be able to convince the district attorney to reduce or drop the charges, for example. They may be able to convince a judge to dismiss the case. If these methods do not work and a felony charge still stands, they bring the case to trial and put forth every effort to show there is reasonable doubt that the client is guilty. Juries must remember that people charged with a crime are innocent until proven guilty, so the burden of proof is on the prosecution. Contact us for assistance.
