Currently, under the Code of Virginia, “if any person commit robbery by partial strangulation, or suffocation, or striking, or beating, or by other violence to the person, or by assault or otherwise putting a person in fear of serious bodily harm, or by the threat or presenting of firearms, or other deadly weapon or instrumentality whatsoever, (s)he shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional facility for life or any term not less than five (5) years.”
However, during the most recent legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly created four (4) classes of robbery and changed the types of punishment to go into effect July 1, 2021:
- Serious Bodily Injury of Death – Class 2 Felony (20 Years to Life in Prison)
- Use or Display of Firearm – Class 3 Felony (5 Years to 10 Years in Prison)
- Other Use of Force – Class 5 Felony (1 Year in Jail to 5 Years in Prison)
- Threat, Intimidation, or Other Robbery – Class 6 Felony (1 Year in Jail to 5 Years in Prison)
These changes will also decrease sentencing guidelines in many cases as well.
If you or a family member find yourself charged with robbery in Norfolk or another Hampton Roads jurisdiction, contact our office for a free consultation.