Los Angeles Armed Robbery Defense Attorneys

Are You in Need of an Armed Robbery Defense Attorney in Los Angeles?

If you have been arrested for armed robbery in Los Angeles, you’re staring down one of the most serious felony charges in California. Prosecutors treat robbery with a weapon as a violent felony. Judges can stack on firearm and injury enhancements that add years or even decades to a sentence. And robbery is also a strike under California’s three strikes law.

At Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, we move fast to protect your rights by challenging probable cause, attacking the identification, and getting ahead of enhancements that can dramatically increase your exposure. Call our Los Angeles robbery defense lawyers the moment you learn you’re under investigation or after any arrest.

Why Choose Us Over Other Los Angeles Armed Robbery Defense Lawyers

We are a nationally recognized criminal defense law firm, and we know how to win. We’ll step in and start building the kind of defense that gets dismissals, charge reductions, and not-guilty verdicts.

• Decades in high-stakes LA felonies: We’ve defended armed robbery, attempted robbery, and related firearm cases across LA County courthouses—from Airport to Compton to Van Nuys.
• Former prosecutors & seasoned trial lawyers: We know how the DA builds robbery and gang enhancements, and we know how to dismantle them.
• Relentless pre-filing intervention: We often stop charges before they’re filed or negotiate for lesser counts without a public arrest record spiral.
• Sophisticated motions practice: We litigate illegal stops, unreliable showups, tainted lineups, flawed photo arrays, and defective warrants.
• Top-tier expert network: Eyewitness-ID scientists, video forensics, cell-site/mapping, ballistics, DNA, mental-health and mitigation specialists.
• Client-first communication: Clear strategy, no sugar-coating, rapid updates, and realistic expectations.
• Crisis management: We take steps to protect your job, license, and reputation while the case is pending.

Charged With Armed Robbery in Los Angeles?

Don’t face it alone. Call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP at (213) 688-0460 for immediate help.

What Is Armed Robbery?

Under California Penal Code § 211, robbery is the taking of personal property from someone’s person or immediate presence, against their will, by force or fear. It becomes armed robbery when a weapon is involved. That can mean:

• Firearm present or displayed (even if not fired).
• Weapon used as a threat (knife, bat, replica gun that appears real).
• Allegations you were “armed”—i.e., you or an accomplice carried a weapon during the robbery.

California divides robbery into two degrees (Penal Code § 212.5):

• First-degree robbery: Robbery of an inhabited dwelling, robbery of a driver or passenger of a vehicle, or robbery of a person using or having just used an ATM.
• Second-degree robbery: All other robberies.

Prosecutors don’t need to prove the gun was loaded or even real if the victim reasonably believed it was and surrendered property due to fear.

What to Do If You Are Arrested

You have rights, and it’s essential to use them.

1. Do not give any statements. Politely say: “I want a lawyer. I am invoking my right to remain silent.” Then stop talking.
2. Do not consent to searches. If officers ask to search your phone, home, or car, say: “I do not consent.”
3. Call us immediately. We will handle all communications with law enforcement and the DA.
4. Do not contact alleged victims or witnesses. Any outreach, even an apologies, can be twisted into admissions or presented as evidence of alleged intimidation.
5. Preserve evidence. Keep your phone, clothes, receipts, rideshare logs, texts, social media, and location data. Share nothing publicly.
6. Write down timelines. Note where you were, with whom, and anything you noticed (cameras, lighting, police conduct). Small details become big leverage.

What Are the Penalties for Armed Robbery?

Robbery carries state prison time. Allegations of the use of a weapon allegation can dramatically increase penalties.

Base terms (without enhancements):

• First-degree robbery: 3, 4, or 6 years in state prison.
• Second-degree robbery: 2, 3, or 5 years in state prison.

Enhancements can be stacked. They include:

• Firearm possession or use: Depending on the statute charged, enhancements can add 1 year for being armed (Penal Code § 12022(a)), 3/4/10 years for using a firearm (Penal Code § 12022.5), or the “10-20-Life” scheme for certain firearm conduct in specified serious felonies (Penal Code § 12022.53):
• +10 years for personal use of a gun;
• +20 years for intentional discharge;
• 25 years to life if discharge causes great bodily injury or death.
• Great bodily injury (GBI): +3/4/5 years (Penal Code § 12022.7).
• Gang allegations: Can transform sentencing exposure and limit credits if the DA files a gang enhancement.

Strikes & Credits:

• Robbery is a violent felony strike. A conviction can double future sentences and limit conduct credits (you generally must serve at least 85% of the term on a violent felony).
• Prior serious/violent felony convictions can add additional years under the Three Strikes law and 5-year priors for serious felonies.

Additional Consequences of a Conviction

The formal sentence is only part of the fallout. Armed robbery convictions can:

• Trigger deportation or inadmissibility for non-citizens.
• Revocation or denial of a professional license (nurses, contractors, real-estate, securities, etc.).
• Derail employment and housing due to background checks.
• Lead to restitution orders that follow you for years.
• Restrict firearm rights permanently.
• Complicate child custody and family-law matters.
• Damage reputation online and in your community.

Under Investigation for Robbery?

Every minute counts. Call (213) 688-0460 for aggressive legal protection before charges are filed.

How a Skilled Los Angeles Armed Robbery Defense Lawyer Can Help

Armed robbery cases are won on the facts, the procedure, and the science. Here’s what we do, step by step.

Scrutinizing the Stop, Search, and Seizure

• Traffic stop or detention: Was there reasonable suspicion? If not, everything that flowed from the stop can be suppressed.
• Arrest: Was there probable cause? If not, statements and fruits may be excluded.
• Searches: We challenge warrants, scope of consent, phone extractions, and “exigent circumstances” claims.
• Show-ups and lineups: We move to suppress identifications created by suggestive procedures, which is a common problem in robbery cases.

Attacking Eyewitness Reliability

Robbery cases often hinge on human memory under stress, poor lighting, brief exposure, masks/hoodies, and cross-racial ID issues. We use:

• Cognitive psychology experts to explain how stress and suggestion distort memory.
• Photo array and lineup audits to show improper fillers or officer cues.
• Body-cam and CAD data to expose inconsistencies between initial descriptions and later identifications.

Forensic and Digital Defense

• Video forensics: Stabilization, timing, and distance analysis to show a clip doesn’t prove what the DA claims.
• Cell-site and GPS: Mapping can undermine the prosecution timeline—or corroborate an alibi.
• Phone dumps: We push to exclude overbroad data pulls and show innocent explanations for location or search history.
• Ballistics & gun evidence: Chain-of-custody gaps and lab error rates matter.

Effective Legal Defenses for Armed Robbery

When charged with armed robbery in Los Angeles, you will be facing some very serious penalties if convicted. But Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP knows how to attack these charges head-on.

The Defendant Did Not Use Force

One of the core elements of armed robbery is the use of force or intimidation while committing a theft. If the prosecution cannot prove that the accused actually used force, threatened force, or presented a weapon, the charge of armed robbery may not stand.

The Defendant Believed the Property Was Theirs

For a robbery conviction, prosecutors must prove that the defendant intended to unlawfully take property that did not belong to them. If the accused honestly believed they had a legal right to the item, they may not have had the criminal intent required for robbery.

False Accusation

The defendant maintains that the accusation is simply untrue and that they were falsely accused by someone with a motive to lie, such as revenge, jealousy, or to deflect blame from themselves. If the defense can successfully show that the accusation is not credible or motivated by malice, it can destroy the prosecution’s case.

Mistaken Identity

Eyewitness misidentification is one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in the U.S.The defense might point to poor lighting, a rushed confrontation, or inconsistencies in the description of the suspect. They could bring in alibi witnesses, surveillance footage, or cellphone data to show the defendant was elsewhere when the robbery happened.

What Clients Are Saying About Us

Will go above and beyond to win and defend you -Anonymous (5-Star Avvo Review)

Best attorney to help with my case! He will fight for you all the way. I trusted him with my case and his team to assist me. Will go above and beyond to win and defend you. Highly recommend!!!

I cannot thank him enough - Allen T. (5-Star Yelp Review)

Mark Werksman is a professional, educated, and articulate lawyer. He goes above and beyond to successfully represent his clients. He is full of wit and quick on his feet. Before I came to Mark, my mind was full of doubt with previous lawyers. One of them even told me there was nothing they could do to help me. Mark managed to settle my case beyond my expectations. He kept me updated with constant positive follow-ups. He stays on top of things and he strives to achieve nothing but the best results for all of his clients. I felt this every time I spoke with him. Thanks to Mark, the stress and worries are out the window. I cannot thank him enough. There are many lawyers out there. However, rationale, quick thinking, and intellect are rare. Mark meets the criteria for a top-notch lawyer.

Speak With an Experienced Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer

If you have been accused of armed robbery, you could be facing serious penalties. That’s why it’s so important to have an experienced Los Angeles armed robbery attorney by your side. Don’t delay contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP today at (213) 688-0460 to schedule a free consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

The DA is talking about ‘10-20-Life.’ Is that automatic?

No. Enhancements must be charged and proved (or admitted). We challenge whether they apply, negotiate to dismiss or strike them, and fight them at trial if necessary.

Do I need a lawyer if I’m only being investigated?

Yes. Pre-filing intervention is where we can do the most good—protecting you from interviews, steering the DA’s charging decision, and preserving defense evidence.

What exactly as armed robbery in California?

Under Penal Code § 211, robbery becomes armed robbery when a weapon is involved, whether it’s a real firearm, a knife, or even a replica that appears real. The key element is that force or fear was used to take property from someone’s immediate possession. You don’t have to fire the weapon for prosecutors to charge you as armed.

Is armed robbery considered a violent felony?

Yes. Armed robbery is classified as a violent felony under California law. It’s a “strike” offense under the Three Strikes Law, which means a conviction can double future sentences and severely limit early-release credits. It also carries firearm enhancements that can add decades to a sentence.

What are the penalties for armed robbery in Los Angeles?

A conviction can result in up to 6 years in prison for first-degree robbery, and up to 5 years for second-degree robbery—before firearm or injury enhancements. If a gun is used, additional prison time of 10, 20, or even 25 years to life can be added, depending on the circumstances.

Can I be charged if I didn’t personally use the weapon?

Yes. California law allows prosecutors to charge all participants in a robbery if a co-defendant used or was armed with a weapon, even if you never touched it.

Is it possible to avoid prison time for an armed robbery charge?

Yes, in some cases. A skilled defense lawyer may negotiate reduced charges (such as grand theft person or attempted robbery), argue to strike firearm enhancements, or build mitigating evidence for probation or alternative sentencing. Each outcome depends on early action and the strength of the defense.

What are the most effective defenses against armed robbery charges?

Effective defenses may include:

• Mistaken identity or unreliable eyewitness testimony
• Lack of intent to permanently take property
• No use of force or fear
• False accusations or coerced statements
• Illegal stop, arrest, or search (Fourth Amendment violations)
• Alibi or digital evidence proving you weren’t at the scene

What should I do right now if I’ve been arrested for armed robbery?

Stay calm. Don’t speak to police, don’t discuss the case on social media, and don’t contact witnesses or alleged victims. Call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP at (213) 688-0460 immediately. Our Los Angeles violent crime defense attorneys will move fast to secure your release, protect your rights, and start building your defense before the DA gains momentum.

Meet Our Los Angeles Armed Robbery Attorneys

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson is one of California’s most respected and battle-tested criminal defense attorneys. A former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney with more than 25 years of courtroom experience, he has tried over 100 jury trials, including some of the state’s most high-profile and complex criminal cases. Today, as a founding partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, Alan uses his insider knowledge of the prosecution’s playbook to deliver exceptional results for clients facing serious felony charges.

Mark Werksman

Mark Werksman is a major presence in California’s criminal defense community, an attorney with over 30 years of experience, a reputation for courtroom excellence, and a record of success in some of the most challenging and high-profile cases in Los Angeles. As a founding partner of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, Mark is known for his sharp trial skills, strategic brilliance, and unflinching dedication to his clients’ rights.

Kelly Quinn

Kelly Quinn is a highly skilled Los Angeles criminal defense attorney and partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, where she brings sharp legal insight, exceptional courtroom presence, and unwavering commitment to client advocacy. Known for her meticulous preparation and persuasive litigation style, Kelly has earned a reputation as a fierce defender of clients facing serious felony and misdemeanor charges across Southern California.