Robbery

Robbery Defense Attorney in Spokane

Violent Felony Defense Backed by Prosecution-Side Experience

A robbery charge in Washington isn’t a theft charge with a different name. It’s a violent felony that carries serious prison time, a permanent record, and consequences that can follow a conviction for years. If you’re facing this charge in Spokane County, the decisions you make in the first days matter.

At Freedman Law Office, Attorney Sarah L. Freedman defends clients against robbery charges throughout Spokane County. Before representing defendants, she served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Spokane County, building the kinds of cases she now defends against. That firsthand knowledge of how local prosecutors approach violent felony charges shapes every defense strategy we develop. Sarah also brought 11 trial cases to verdict as a law school intern and spent most of her prosecutorial career in the courtroom, giving her substantial trial experience that’s directly relevant to felony defense.

Robbery Under Washington Law: What the Charge Actually Means

Under RCW 9A.56, robbery is the unlawful taking of personal property from another person using force, threats, or fear of immediate harm. That force element is what separates robbery from theft. Even minimal physical contact used to overcome resistance can be enough for the prosecution to charge robbery rather than a lesser offense.

Washington law recognizes two degrees of the charge:

First-Degree Robbery
Governed by RCW 9A.56.200, first-degree robbery applies when the defendant was armed with a deadly weapon, displayed what appears to be a firearm or other deadly weapon, inflicted bodily injury, or committed the robbery against a financial institution. It’s classified as a Class A felony, the most serious category under state law.

Second-Degree Robbery
RCW 9A.56.210 covers all other robbery situations. It’s a Class B felony. Both degrees result in a felony conviction, not a misdemeanor, regardless of the circumstances.

Penalties for Robbery Convictions in Washington

Sentencing exposure depends on the degree of the charge and the defendant’s prior criminal history. Washington’s Sentencing Reform Act (RCW 9.94A) governs actual sentences through structured guidelines, and a prior record can substantially increase the standard range above the statutory minimum.

Sentencing Ranges by Degree

First-Degree Robbery is punishable by up to life in prison and fines of up to $50,000. Second-Degree Robbery carries up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. Both degrees are classified as most serious offenses, which carries consequences beyond the standard sentencing range.

Under Washington’s Persistent Offender Accountability Act, a third conviction for a qualifying most serious offense triggers a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of release under RCW 9.94A.570. First-degree robbery qualifies under this provision, making prior record a critical factor in any robbery defense.

Collateral Consequences of a Felony Conviction

Beyond incarceration, a robbery conviction produces a permanent felony record. Collateral consequences can include loss of voting rights, loss of the right to possess firearms, restrictions on employment and housing, potential immigration consequences for non-citizens, and court-ordered restitution to victims.

Defense Strategies in Washington Robbery Cases

Sarah Freedman’s time as a prosecutor in Spokane County taught her how the state assembles robbery cases, which witnesses carry the most weight, and where the evidence tends to be weakest. That perspective directly informs how we approach each defense. No two robbery cases are alike, and we don’t treat them as if they are.

Depending on the facts, potential defense approaches may include:

• Challenging the force or fear element: If the prosecution can’t establish that force or intimidation occurred, the charge may be reduced to theft.
• Mistaken identity: Eyewitness identification is a known vulnerability in robbery prosecutions. Challenging its reliability can be an effective defense in many cases.
• Lack of intent: Robbery requires the intent to permanently deprive the victim of property. If that intent can’t be proven, a key element of the charge fails.
• Suppression of unlawful confessions or evidence: A confession obtained in violation of constitutional rights can be removed through a motion to suppress, which can weaken the prosecution’s case.
• Alibi: Evidence placing the defendant elsewhere at the time of the alleged robbery directly contradicts the state’s account.
• Negotiated resolution: When the facts support it, we may pursue charge reduction or alternative sentencing, particularly in cases where no weapon was involved or no one was injured.