Principal Office
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
15110 Dallas Pkwy #400
Dallas, TX 75248
(972) 528-0478
Years Defending Texans
Cases Dismissed
Criminal Cases Handled
Counties Served Across Texas
Available 24/7 | Serving All of Texas
Robbery in Dallas is a violent felony.
It involves force or the threat of force—and can lead to prison time, a permanent record, and serious long-term consequences.
But a charge is not a conviction.
These cases come down to what actually happened and whether the state can prove force, intent, and identity.
At the Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we defend serious felony charges by challenging the evidence and building a strong defense early.
If you’ve been accused, speak with an experienced Dallas criminal defense lawyer now.
Call (972) 528-0116 for a confidential consultation.
Time is not on your side when facing robbery charges. Early intervention by an experienced defense attorney can make the difference between a conviction and a favorable outcome. The prosecution begins building their case the moment you’re arrested, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and preparing their strategy to secure a conviction.
Waiting to hire legal representation puts you at an immediate disadvantage. Critical evidence can be lost, witnesses’ memories fade, and opportunities to challenge the charges narrow with each passing day. Law enforcement and prosecutors have extensive resources at their disposal—you need equally aggressive representation fighting for your rights.
Our team begins working on your defense immediately, examining every detail of your arrest, the evidence against you, and potential weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. We’ve seen how small details overlooked by others can become the turning point in a case.
Don’t gamble with your freedom. Call (972) 528-0116 to schedule a consultation with our Dallas criminal defense team.
Understanding the legal definition of robbery is the first step in mounting an effective defense. Texas law makes critical distinctions between different types of theft-related offenses, and these differences dramatically impact the penalties you face.
Under Texas Penal Code § 29.02, robbery occurs when someone commits theft while:
The key element that separates robbery from theft is the use of force or threat of force. This transforms what would otherwise be a property crime into a violent felony offense with substantially harsher consequences.
Many people use “theft” and “robbery” interchangeably, but Texas law treats these as completely separate offenses with vastly different penalties:
| Element | Theft | Robbery |
|---|---|---|
| Taking of property | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Force or threat | ✗ No | ✓ Yes (required) |
| Typical classification | Misdemeanor to Felony | Always Felony |
| Prison range | State jail to 10 years (depending on value) | 2–20 years minimum |
| Violent crime designation | No | Yes |
Example: Taking a wallet from someone’s purse in a store would be theft. Taking that same wallet after pushing the person to the ground would be robbery, even if no serious injury occurred.
This distinction matters enormously. Robbery charges automatically elevate the severity of your case, limiting your defense options and reducing prosecutorial willingness to negotiate reduced charges. For more information on how theft charges differ, visit our Dallas criminal defense page.
Aggravated robbery takes the offense to an even more serious level. Under Texas Penal Code § 29.03, a robbery becomes aggravated when the defendant:
⚠️ Important: A “deadly weapon” doesn’t have to be a gun or knife. Texas courts have classified numerous objects as deadly weapons based on their use, including:
The weapon doesn’t need to be real. Using a fake gun or even implying you have a weapon can still result in aggravated robbery charges.
Texas imposes severe penalties for robbery convictions, with mandatory prison time in most cases. Understanding what you’re facing is vital to making informed decisions about your defense strategy.
Standard robbery is classified as a second-degree felony under Texas law, carrying:
Even a first-time offender faces mandatory prison time if convicted. Texas sentencing guidelines provide limited flexibility for robbery cases, and judges have less discretion to grant probation compared to non-violent felonies.
Aggravated robbery elevates the charge to a first-degree felony, one of the most serious classifications in Texas criminal law:
Prison Sentence Comparison:
| Offense | Classification | Minimum Prison | Maximum Prison | Average Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theft (over $30,000) | 3rd-degree felony | 2 years | 10 years | 4–6 years |
| Robbery | 2nd-degree felony | 2 years | 20 years | 7–10 years |
| Aggravated Robbery | 1st-degree felony | 5 years | 99 years or life | 15–25 years |
Note: Actual sentences vary based on criminal history, case facts, and other factors. Data based on Texas Department of Criminal Justice sentencing trends.
A robbery conviction creates ripples that extend far beyond your prison sentence:
These consequences don’t disappear after you’ve served your sentence. They follow you for life, making it critical to fight the charges with an experienced defense attorney from the start.
Our Dallas robbery attorneys defend clients facing all types of robbery allegations throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area:
Cases involving firearms, knives, or other weapons. We examine weapon evidence, chain of custody, and whether the weapon was actually used or displayed.
First-degree felony charges requiring aggressive defense. We challenge every element the prosecution must prove.
When physical injury is alleged, medical records and expert testimony become vital. We scrutinize injury claims and challenge exaggerated allegations.
These cases hinge on proving specific intent, creating opportunities for effective defense arguments.
We challenge whether items qualify as “deadly weapons” under Texas law and whether the prosecution can prove their use during the alleged robbery.
For related violent crime charges, visit our kidnapping defense page or our comprehensive robbery and aggravated robbery resource.
We prepare every robbery case for trial, investigating thoroughly and building the strongest possible defense while pursuing favorable negotiations.
Our approach includes:
Many firms prioritize quick resolutions over thorough preparation. Prosecutors respond differently when they know we’re genuinely prepared to take cases to trial.
Our attorneys evaluate which approaches best fit your specific circumstances.
Robbery requires specific intent to commit theft through force or threat. We examine whether the act was a misunderstanding, whether the defendant had a legitimate claim to the property, or whether force was actually used.
Eyewitness identification errors are among the leading causes of wrongful convictions. We challenge identifications by examining lighting conditions, distance, observation duration, stress levels, cross-racial identification issues, and suggestive procedures. The Innocence Project reports that mistaken eyewitness identifications contributed to approximately 69% of wrongful convictions later overturned by DNA evidence.
The prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. We challenge cases lacking direct evidence, reliable witnesses, physical evidence, or clear proof that force occurred.
Evidence obtained through illegal searches, coerced confessions, denial of counsel, or unlawful arrest cannot be used against you.
People make false accusations for revenge, insurance fraud, misidentification, mental health issues, or incentives to cooperate with law enforcement. We investigate accusers’ backgrounds, motives, and credibility.
When facing serious felony charges, the attorney you choose can determine whether you spend the next decade in prison or maintain your freedom.
✓ Decades of Dallas County experience: Since 2002, we’ve built relationships with local prosecutors and judges, giving us insight into what strategies work in your specific courthouse.
✓ Proven track record: Over 1,000 cases dismissed in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and 6,000+ criminal cases handled.
✓ Trial preparation focus: We prepare every case for trial. Prosecutors recognize when attorneys are truly prepared to fight, making them more willing to negotiate favorable outcomes.
✓ Personalized representation: You’re not just another case number. We develop defense strategies tailored to your specific situation.
Call (972) 528-0116 to speak with our defense team today.
Your actions immediately following a robbery arrest can significantly impact your case. Follow these vital steps to protect your rights and strengthen your defense:
⚠️ Common mistake:
Many people believe cooperating with police without an attorney will help their case. This is rarely true. Police are trained interrogators skilled at obtaining incriminating statements. Protect yourself by remaining silent and contacting an attorney immediately.
Understanding what happens after a robbery arrest helps reduce anxiety and allows you to make informed decisions. Here’s the typical timeline for robbery cases in Dallas County:
After arrest, you’ll be transported to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center located at 111 West Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75202—the primary detention facility for all Dallas County arrests. The booking process typically takes 3-6 hours and includes:
Jail information line: (214) 761-9025 (available 24/7)
The facility houses over 7,000 inmates across three towers. Robbery defendants facing serious felony charges are typically housed in the North Tower, which handles violent offenses.
Within 48 hours of arrest, you’ll appear before a magistrate who will:
For robbery charges, bond amounts typically range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on factors including:
Bond options in Dallas County:
Your formal arraignment typically occurs within 2-4 weeks after arrest at the Frank Crowley Courts Building, located at 133 N. Riverfront Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75207—directly adjacent to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center.
Felony robbery cases are heard in one of Dallas County’s seven felony district courts, located on the 5th-7th floors of the Frank Crowley building. At arraignment:
Frank Crowley Courts Building hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday
The building houses:
Nearby landmarks for family members:
Between arraignment and trial, your case will involve:
Dallas County moves faster than many surrounding counties. Your attorney’s familiarity with local prosecutors, court staff, and judges at Frank Crowley can significantly impact negotiations and outcomes.
Robbery charges aren’t minor — they carry real prison time, and prosecutors take them seriously from the start.
Once a case like this moves forward, the pressure increases quickly.
And without a defense in place, you’re reacting instead of protecting yourself.
That’s where we step in.
At The Law Offices of Richard C. McConathy, we’ve spent decades defending serious felony charges across Dallas County. We know how these cases are built — and how to push back before they gain momentum.
📞 Call (972) 528-0116 now to speak directly with our office.
We’ll walk you through what you’re facing and what needs to happen next to protect your position.
Robbery is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony carrying 5 to 99 years or life in prison. Both result in permanent felony records.
Robbery becomes aggravated when the defendant uses or exhibits a deadly weapon, causes serious bodily injury, or targets someone 65 or older or disabled. This elevates the charge to a first-degree felony.
Yes. Our firm has successfully secured dismissals and reductions in robbery cases through various strategies including challenging evidence, proving mistaken identity, demonstrating constitutional violations, or negotiating with prosecutors. Success depends on the specific facts of your case, the strength of the prosecution’s evidence, and the quality of your legal representation.
Yes, always. Standard robbery is a second-degree felony, while aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony. There are no misdemeanor robbery charges under Texas law.
Absolutely. Robbery charges carry mandatory prison sentences and create permanent felony records that affect every aspect of your life. The prosecution has extensive resources and experience. Without equally skilled legal representation, you face overwhelming disadvantages that dramatically increase your chances of conviction and maximum sentencing. Early intervention by an experienced attorney can preserve evidence, identify defense strategies, and potentially result in dismissal or reduction of charges.
Robbery cases typically take 6 to 18 months from arrest to resolution, though complex cases can take longer. Factors affecting timeline include evidence complexity, witness availability, court scheduling, and whether the case goes to trial. While some attorneys push clients toward quick plea deals, we believe thorough preparation is worth the time investment when facing decades in prison.
Contact an experienced robbery defense attorney immediately. False accusations occur more frequently than many people realize, driven by motives including revenge, mistaken identity, or pressure to identify someone. Your attorney will investigate the accuser’s background and credibility, identify inconsistencies in their story, gather evidence supporting your innocence, and challenge the prosecution’s case at every stage.
While possible, probation for robbery is difficult to obtain and depends on numerous factors including criminal history, case circumstances, and the specific court handling your case. Aggravated robbery (first-degree felony) has much more limited probation eligibility. An experienced attorney can evaluate your specific situation and fight for alternatives to lengthy prison sentences.
Whether you're facing a felony charge or fighting a traffic ticket, every case deserves serious attention. Get an experienced defense team in your corner now.
