For the incident to be robbery, another person must be involved and have been a victim of “use of force, violence, assault, or putting in fear.” In most cases, the victim does not resist during a robbery in order to protect themselves. But, in some cases, the victim chooses to fight back and may injure the accused party in the process. These instances, although rare, create a conundrum in the courtroom.
The most recent analyses of victimization retrieved from the National Crime Victimization Survey make it clear that resistance against robbers is not random but instead reflects choices and consideration of situational cues and risks on the part of the victim. These calculated considerations may be seen as self-defense and indeed may be protected by “Stand Your Ground” laws. However, in some cases, victim resistance can backfire. When a victim injures the perpetrator during a robbery, the alleged robber may have legal protections.
If you’ve been accused of a robbery, particularly in a case involving victim resistance, it’s crucial to speak to a robbery defense attorney in Tampa with The Rickman Law Firm. You may have a wide variety of defenses available to protect your rights and potentially reduce your charges.