Robbery

Louisville Robbery Lawyer

Four Decades of Criminal Defense in Jefferson County

Robbery charges in Louisville carry consequences that reach far beyond the courtroom. At The Simon Law Office, we’ve been defending people facing serious criminal charges since 1985, and attorney Larry Simon brings over 40 years of direct experience in Louisville and Kentucky courts to every case. When you’re charged with robbery, you need a defense attorney who knows the judges, prosecutors, and procedures at Jefferson County Circuit Court. That familiarity can shape everything from pretrial motions to plea negotiations.

We offer free consultations. If you or someone you care about is facing robbery charges, call us at (502) 822-2074 to talk through your situation with attorney Larry Simon directly.

How Kentucky Defines Robbery

Robbery isn’t simply theft. Under Kentucky law, robbery is theft elevated by the use or threatened use of physical force against another person. KRS 515.010 defines physical force as force used upon or directed toward the body of another person. That force doesn’t need to be severe, but it must occur during the commission of the theft. The degree charged depends on the specific facts of the incident, not the value of the property taken.

First-Degree Robbery (KRS 515.020)
A person commits first-degree robbery when, in the course of committing theft and using or threatening physical force, they also: (a) cause physical injury to a person not participating in the crime; (b) are armed with a deadly weapon; or (c) use or threaten the immediate use of a dangerous instrument on a person not participating in the crime. Any one of these aggravating factors elevates the charge to first degree.

Second-Degree Robbery (KRS 515.030)
Second-degree robbery applies when a person uses or threatens the immediate use of physical force on another person in the course of committing theft, with the intent to accomplish that theft, but without the aggravating elements required for first degree.

Penalties for Robbery in Louisville

The sentencing stakes are serious. Robbery in the first degree is a Class B felony under Kentucky law, carrying a prison term of 10 to 20 years. Because first-degree robbery is classified as a violent crime, a convicted person must serve 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Robbery in the second degree is a Class C felony carrying 5 to 10 years. Kentucky imposes no statute of limitations on felony charges, meaning robbery allegations can be prosecuted regardless of how much time has passed since the alleged offense.

A felony conviction also carries consequences well beyond the prison sentence:

Loss of voting rights upon conviction
Ineligibility for certain professional licenses
Loss of the right to possess firearms
Ineligibility for certain housing and public benefits
Immigration consequences, including possible removal for non-citizens
Impact on child custody and family court proceedings

Why Louisville Robbery Clients Choose The Simon Law Office

In 2012, the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers presented Larry Simon with the Frank E. Haddad, Jr. Award (the KACDL’s highest honor) for exceptional professional achievement with a sustained impact on protecting the constitutional rights of the accused. In 1992, the Louisville Bar Association presented him the Pro Bono Service Award for his service as conflict counsel for indigent criminal defendants in Jefferson County. These recognitions reflect decades of consistent work in the same courts where your case will be decided.

The Simon Law Office is accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Clients work directly with attorney Larry Simon. We don’t pass cases to junior associates. We also prioritize client education: you’ll understand your rights, the charges against you, and your available options at every stage of the process.

Defending Robbery Charges in Jefferson County Circuit Court

Felony robbery charges in Louisville are prosecuted by the Jefferson County Commonwealth’s Attorney through Jefferson County Circuit Court at the Jefferson County Judicial Center. Larry Simon has appeared in these courts for over four decades. His time as conflict counsel for indigent criminal defendants in Jefferson County gave him direct, ground-level familiarity with how the local prosecution and public defense structure operates. That familiarity matters when evaluating how the Commonwealth is likely to approach your case, what evidence the prosecution tends to rely on, and where negotiation may be possible.

Knowing the procedures, tendencies, and personnel at Jefferson County Circuit Court isn’t a background detail. It’s a practical advantage when building pretrial strategy and navigating plea discussions.

FAQs: Robbery Defense in Louisville

What Should I Do If I’m Accused of Robbery?

Exercise your right to remain silent and don’t make statements to law enforcement without an attorney present. Contact a robbery attorney in Louisville as quickly as possible. We offer free consultations to discuss your situation and identify the right defense approach for your specific circumstances.

How Can a Robbery Defense Attorney Help?

A robbery defense attorney examines the evidence, challenges the reliability of witness identifications, scrutinizes how law enforcement collected and handled evidence, and identifies weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. Attorney Larry Simon represents clients through every stage, from arraignment through plea negotiations or trial, working to build the strongest available defense given the facts at hand.

What Are the Penalties for Robbery in Louisville?

First-degree robbery is a Class B felony carrying 10 to 20 years in prison. Because it’s classified as a violent crime under Kentucky law, a convicted person must serve 85% of that sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Second-degree robbery is a Class C felony carrying 5 to 10 years. Mitigating factors, including the absence of prior criminal history, may be relevant to sentencing arguments, though no specific outcome can be promised.

What Are My Rights If I’m Arrested?

You have the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney, and the right to a fair trial. These rights apply from the moment of arrest. How you respond in the early stages of an arrest can meaningfully affect your case. We can make certain you understand and can exercise these rights from the moment we first speak.

Talk to a Louisville Robbery Attorney Today

Facing robbery charges means facing a system with significant prosecutorial resources and the possibility of a decade or more in prison. Attorney Larry Simon has spent 40 years learning this system from the inside and is available to discuss your case at no cost.

Contact our Louisville robbery attorney today at (502) 822-2074 to schedule your free consultation.

Common Defense Strategies in Louisville Robbery Cases

No two robbery cases are identical, and no single defense applies to every situation. When attorney Larry Simon evaluates a case, he works through the specific facts to determine which legal theories offer the strongest path forward. The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of a robbery charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Identifying which elements are weakest is where defense strategy begins.

Several approaches come up regularly in robbery cases handled at Jefferson County Circuit Court:

Mistaken Identity
Eyewitness identifications are among the most unreliable forms of evidence. We can challenge the procedures used in photo arrays and live lineups, examine lighting and distance conditions at the time of the alleged offense, and scrutinize the consistency of witness accounts.

Lack of the Force Element
Robbery requires proof that force or the threat of force occurred during the commission of a theft. If the prosecution can’t establish this element, the charge may not survive challenge or may be reduced.

Alibi
Evidence placing the defendant at a different location at the time of the alleged offense directly undermines the prosecution’s case. Witness testimony, electronic records, and surveillance footage can all support an alibi defense.

Illegal Search and Seizure
Evidence obtained in violation of the Fourth Amendment may be subject to suppression. If law enforcement exceeded the boundaries of a lawful search, the evidence that resulted may be excluded from trial. This can significantly weaken the prosecution’s position.

Claim of Right
If the defendant reasonably believed the property in question was theirs, the intent to steal may not be established, potentially negating the theft element on which robbery depends.

Challenging Weapon Classification
First-degree robbery under KRS 515.020 requires the prosecution to prove the defendant was armed with a deadly weapon or used a dangerous instrument. Disputing whether an item meets the statutory definition can affect whether the charge is first or second degree. That distinction carries five to 10 additional years of prison time.

These strategies are possibilities that depend on the facts of each case, and no outcome can be promised. What attorney Larry Simon can do is examine every element of the prosecution’s case and present the most effective defense the evidence supports.

Our Victories

Our History of Successful Outcomes

The moment you walk through our firms doors, we will do everything within our power to help you obtain the peace of mind you deserve. Our Louisville criminal defense attorneys will address each of your concerns, inform you of your rights, and begin to guide you down the path that best suits your needs.

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