Robbery Attorney in Rockford

Over 100 Years of Combined Experience Fighting Felony Charges in Northern Illinois

A robbery charge in Illinois carries serious consequences that can follow you for the rest of your life. At DeRango & Cain, LLC, our criminal defense attorneys represent individuals charged with robbery, aggravated robbery, and armed robbery throughout Rockford and Northern Illinois. Our team brings more than 100 years of combined experience to these cases, and we’re prepared to build the strongest possible defense from the moment you call us.

We offer free case evaluations with no financial obligation, and we’re available 24/7 to take your call. If you’ve been arrested overnight, we can be by your side during questioning.

Don’t face a felony robbery charge without experienced counsel. Call our Rockford criminal defense team at (815) 216-5911 to schedule your free case evaluation.

How Illinois Law Defines Robbery

Under 720 ILCS 5/18-1, robbery is defined as knowingly taking property from another person by using force or threatening the imminent use of force. That distinction matters. Without force or the threat of force directed at a person, prosecutors charge theft instead. Robbery is also fundamentally different from burglary, which involves unlawful entry into a building rather than force against a person.

A standard robbery charge is a Class 2 felony. The charge elevates to a Class 1 felony when the victim is 60 or older, has a physical disability, or the offense occurred at a school, day care facility, or place of worship.

Aggravated Robbery & Armed Robbery Penalties

Illinois law draws a sharp line between aggravated robbery and armed robbery, and the sentencing consequences reflect that difference.

Aggravated robbery occurs when a person indicates verbally or through actions that they are carrying a firearm or dangerous weapon, or uses a controlled substance against the victim, even when no actual weapon is present. It’s a Class 1 felony carrying 4 to 15 years in prison. Depending on the circumstances and the defendant’s criminal history, aggravated robbery can be eligible for probation.

Armed robbery requires that a dangerous weapon or firearm actually be present. Charged as a Class X felony under 720 ILCS 5/18-2, it carries 6 to 30 years in prison with no probation eligibility. Illinois law adds mandatory sentencing enhancements on top of that base range:

• 15 additional years if armed with a firearm
• 20 additional years if the firearm was discharged
• 25 years to life if the discharge caused great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death

Beyond prison time, a felony robbery conviction can affect your ability to find employment, secure housing, vote, and own a firearm. Because armed robbery isn’t eligible for probation, cases at this level frequently go to trial rather than resolving through a plea. That makes experienced trial counsel essential from the start.

Defense Strategies in Illinois Robbery Cases

Every robbery case turns on its own facts, and the right defense depends on those specifics. Common approaches include challenging mistaken eyewitness identification, presenting alibi evidence that places you elsewhere at the time of the offense, and attacking whether the prosecution can actually prove the required force, threat of force, or intent.

Constitutional challenges are another avenue. Evidence obtained through an unlawful search, a coerced confession, or a Miranda violation may be suppressed, which can significantly weaken or dismantle the prosecution’s case. Some matters resolve outside of trial through negotiated plea agreements or an amendment to a lesser charge. Others go to the jury. We evaluate every path and pursue the one that best serves your interests.

Our Approach to Robbery Defense

We aren’t afraid of complex felony cases. When the facts and the law support taking a robbery case to trial, we’re prepared to do exactly that. Our team-based approach means that when charges overlap with other legal issues, multiple attorneys can contribute their knowledge to your defense, providing greater depth than a single-attorney practice can offer. We also offer services in Spanish, so language isn’t a barrier to getting the representation you deserve.

Robbery Defense Attorneys at DeRango & Cain, LLC

Several of our attorneys handle criminal defense matters, including robbery charges at both the state and federal level.

Attorney Christopher A. DeRango is the Senior Member of our firm and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He handles criminal defense matters, including federal criminal cases and complex litigation, and was Peer Selected by Leading Lawyers® in 2023. When a robbery investigation has a federal dimension, his federal court admission is directly relevant to your defense.

Attorney Aaron Buscemi is also admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and handles criminal defense matters throughout Rockford. He was Peer Selected by Leading Lawyers® in 2023.

Attorney Melinda Jacobson handles criminal defense, including juvenile delinquency cases. Minors can be charged with robbery or armed robbery, and these matters typically proceed through juvenile delinquency proceedings rather than adult criminal court. In some cases, however, Illinois law requires older minors charged with armed robbery involving a firearm to be prosecuted as adults. The procedural differences are significant, and having an attorney familiar with both systems can make a real difference in how a case proceeds.