Alleged Robbery Occurs In Bathroom Of Leesburg High School
Police investigation is underway concerning an alleged robbery that took place at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg, according to an article by the Loudoun Times-Mirror.
This incident occurred around 9 a.m. on May 25. That is when school staff notified the on-site police officer of an alleged robbery. Apparently, several students used force to steal property from a victim and captured the offense on video. The authorities did not report any injuries as a result of this incident.
As this matter involved juvenile perpetrators, police handed the case over to the Loudoun County Juvenile Court Services Unit. This unit holds responsibility for the juvenile justice system across Loudoun County.
While the authorities continue to investigate this incident and decide whether to pursue criminal proceedings, it seems like a suitable opportunity to review the Virginia laws against and penalties for robbery crimes.
Virginia Laws Against Robbery
Virginia utilizes the common law definition of robbery. This means that robbery requires a theft accomplished by using force or the threat of force. In addition to the common law definition above, Code of Virginia Section 18.2-58 recognizes specific forms of robbery that include:
- Threat, intimidation, or any other means without a deadly weapon;
- Physical force that does not result in serious bodily injury;
- Use or display of a deadly weapon, other than a firearm, in a threatening manner;
- Use or display of a firearm in a threatening manner; and
- Infliction of serious bodily injury or death to a victim.
Virginia Penalties for Robbery
Section 18.2-58 also describes the Virginia penalties for robbery crimes. Though depending on the circumstances of the offense, the applicable charge can fluctuate. For example, if a robbery offense involved:
- Threat/Intimidation without Deadly Weapon — It is a Class 6 felony, punishable by one to five years in prison and up to $2,500 in criminal fines;
- Physical Force without Serious Injury — It is a Class 5 felony, punishable by one to 10 years in prison and up to $2,500 in criminal fines;
- Threatening Use/Display of Deadly Weapon — It is a Class 5 felony, punishable as explained above;
- Threatening Use/Display of Firearm — It is a Class 3 felony, punishable by five to 20 years in prison and up to $100,000 in criminal fines; or
- Serious Injury or Death — It is a Class 2 felony, punishable by 20 years to life in prison and up to $100,000 in criminal fines.
Do You Need Legal Help?
If you have legal questions about Virginia charges for robbery or other crimes, it can be immensely productive to contact a responsible Leesburg criminal defense lawyer. The lawyers at Simms Showers LLP have assisted many clients with a variety of criminal charges, including robbery. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free initial consultation.
SOURCES:
loudountimes.com/news/leesburg-police-investigating-robbery-at-tuscarora-high-school/article_6ae882ac-dc67-11ec-99e2-bfd7ce792585.html
law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-58/
