There are as many as 1.4 million violent crimes reported in the United States each year. Did you also know that there were approximately 12,658 murders, 9,983,568 crimes involving property, and roughly 447,403 robberies across the United States in 2006 alone?

So what exactly is robbery? Robbery is the act or the instance of illegally taking something that belongs to someone else, especially by using force, threats or violence.

Robbery is a felony crime in the United States and it is punishable by up to life in prison.

If you have been accused of robbery, whether you are guilty or not, you should hire a criminal lawyer or attorney to help you with your case. If you are suing a convicted robber for damages resulting from the crime, you will need to hire a civil lawyer or attorney. Even if the person was not convicted and you feel they should have been, and you want to sue them for damages -- you should hire a civil lawyer or attorney. Criminal lawyers and attorneys represent individuals who have been charged with crimes by arguing their cases in courts of law. A criminal lawyer or attorney will typically have a private practice concentrating on criminal law.

If you have been arrested for robbery, you should request an attorney or contact a private criminal lawyer or attorney immediately. There are many things to look for when hiring a criminal lawyer or attorney. A good criminal attorney will be familiar with important robbery laws of the state in which the crime took place, because many criminal law rules are hidden away in court interpretations of federal and state constitutions.

Criminal lawyers and attorneys will also be familiar with local court customs and procedures that you just can’t find in a book. They will also have a clear understanding of the "hidden costs" of pleading guilty, they will spend significant amounts of time on your case, and they will hire and manage investigators, and they will research and gather vital information from prosecution witnesses. They will also have an eye for those who embellish and an ear for the facts.

If you are ready to contact a criminal lawyer or attorney to help you with your case, visit the American Bar Association. The ABA offers free access to their lawyer locator, which can help you search for a criminal lawyer or attorney in your area.

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