Robbery Attorney | Bradley R. Corbett

Why You Need a Robbery Attorney?

Penal Code 211 – Robbery Defense in California

At the Law Office of Bradley Corbett, we aggressively defend individuals charged under California Penal Code 211 (Robbery). Robbery is considered a violent felony and qualifies as a strike offense under California’s Three Strikes Law, making a conviction especially severe. So you need a robbery attorney before it gets more complicated. If you are facing PC 211 robbery charges in San Diego County, including cases at the Vista Courthouse, East County El Cajon Court, South Bay Chula Vista Court, or the Downtown Courthouse at 1100 Union Street, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who understands the complexities of these cases and can fight to protect your freedom.

Understanding Penal Code 211 – What Is Robbery?

Under PC 211, robbery is defined as taking personal property from another person, against their will, by means of force or fear. This charge differs from theft because it involves direct confrontation and intimidation, making it a violent crime.

Elements of PC 211 – What the Prosecutor Must Prove

For a conviction, the prosecution must establish:

Taking of Property – The defendant took personal property belonging to someone else.
From Another Person’s Immediate Possession – The item was on the person or in their immediate control.
Against the Victim’s Will – The property was taken without consent.
By Means of Force or Fear – The defendant used physical force, threats, or intimidation to take the property.
With Intent to Permanently Deprive – The defendant intended to keep the property or prevent the owner from reclaiming it.

Estes Robbery – When Shoplifting Becomes Robbery

One of the most surprising ways a person can be charged with robbery is through an Estes Robbery, a term that originates from the case People v. Estes. An Estes Robbery occurs when a simple shoplifting incident escalates into robbery because the suspect uses force or intimidation to escape.

Common Estes Robbery Scenarios

A person attempts to shoplift from a retail store but is stopped by a loss prevention officer. If the suspect pushes, punches, or struggles with security while trying to leave, the charge upgrades from petty theft to robbery.
A shoplifter brandishes a weapon or makes threatening statements when confronted.
A suspect initially takes an item without force, but when an employee intervenes, they use physical aggression to flee.

Many people charged with an Estes Robbery never intended to commit a violent crime. However, California law considers any use of force or fear during a theft as robbery, leading to felony charges and strike consequences.

Penalties for a PC 211 Robbery Conviction

Since robbery is classified as a serious and violent felony, the penalties are severe:

First-Degree Robbery (More Serious)

Applies when the robbery occurs in:

An inhabited dwelling (home invasion robbery)
A business where people are present
Against a driver of a commercial vehicle (e.g., taxi, rideshare, delivery driver)

Penalties:

3, 6, or 9 years in state prison
Strike under California’s Three Strikes Law
Up to $10,000 in fines

Second-Degree Robbery

Applies to all other types of robbery, such as street muggings or store confrontations. Penalties:

2, 3, or 5 years in state prison
Strike under California’s Three Strikes Law
Up to $10,000 in fines

Additional Penalty Enhancements

Use of a Firearm (10-20-Life Enhancement under PC 12022.53)
- 10 additional years for brandishing a firearm
- 20 additional years for firing a weapon
- 25 to life if someone is injured or killed
Great Bodily Injury Enhancement (PC 12022.7)
- 3 to 6 additional years if the victim suffers significant injuries

Defenses Against Robbery Charges

At the Law Office of Bradley Corbett, we use strategic defense tactics to challenge robbery charges. Some of the most effective defenses include:

1. Lack of Force or Fear

If the prosecution cannot prove that force or intimidation was used, the charge should be reduced to theft, which carries significantly lighter penalties.

2. Mistaken Identity & False Accusations

Robberies often occur quickly and under stressful conditions, making misidentifications common. We use:

Surveillance footage
Eyewitness testimony discrepancies
Alibi evidence

3. No Intent to Permanently Deprive

If the defendant had no intention of permanently keeping the item, this may challenge the intent element of robbery.

4. Police Misconduct or Illegal Search and Seizure

If law enforcement violated your constitutional rights, such as conducting an unlawful search, we can file motions to suppress evidence and get charges dismissed.

5. Voluntary Return of Property

In some cases, if the suspect immediately returned the property and the use of force was minimal, we can negotiate lesser charges.

Why Choose the Law Office of Bradley Corbett?

Bradley R. Corbett_Criminal Defense Attorney_Robbery Attorney

1. Extensive Experience Handling Robbery Cases

We have successfully defended countless robbery cases, including first-degree, second-degree, and Estes robberies.

2. Aggressive Defense in Every Courthouse

We regularly appear at the Vista Courthouse, East County El Cajon Court, South Bay Chula Vista Court, and the Downtown Courthouse at 1100 Union Street, giving us deep insight into local courtroom procedures and judges.

3. Challenging the Strike Consequences

Since robbery is a strike offense, we fight aggressively to get charges reduced or dismissed to avoid long-term consequences.

4. Experienced in Negotiating Plea Deals

If dismissal isn’t possible, we negotiate to reduce robbery charges to lesser offenses such as:

Grand theft (PC 487)
Petty theft with a prior (PC 666)
Attempted robbery, which carries lower penalties

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