Strong-arm robbery doesn’t involve weapons, but that doesn’t mean it lacks consequences. If anything, the absence of a weapon can make these cases more complicated. A robbery that relies solely on the use or threat of physical force falls into this category, and in New Jersey, it usually counts as a second-degree felony crime that can land you in prison for 5-10 years. When you’re accused of strong-arm robbery, you therefore need a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer who will do everything possible to achieve the best possible outcome. That is precisely how the lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are ready to assist you.
We know how courts throughout the state treat these allegations as former county prosecutors who have served throughout the state. Our criminal defense team includes 20 attorneys with over 300 years of combined experience, including years serving as prosecutors in Passaic County, Union County, Passaic County, Hudson County, Ocean County, Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and Mercer County. This experience affords us a unique perspective to help us build stronger defenses and achieve the very best outcome in your robbery case..
We’re standing by to provide you with a consultation and help craft a strong, effective defense. To speak to one of our former prosecutors, for example, one who has served as Director of Major Crimes, Special Victims, Narcotics, Domestic Violence, Homicide, or the Juvenile Unit. An attorney is available to handle your call and provide a free initial consultation 24/7 at 877-450-8301.
Understanding Strong-Arm Robbery in New Jersey
Strong-arm robbery is any robbery carried out through force or intimidation without a weapon. It can happen in a parking lot, outside a bank, in a school hallway, or on a crowded street. The victim might be shoved, punched, or grabbed – or simply threatened with bodily harm.
Unlike armed robbery, strong-arm robbery doesn’t involve a firearm or knife. But don’t assume that makes the charges less serious. Prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively, especially when physical contact is involved.
New Jersey law classifies strong-arm robbery under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1. It applies when someone uses force or the threat of force to steal property from another person. That force doesn’t have to result in injury. It only needs to create the fear of harm. Even a verbal threat made during a purse snatching can count. If prosecutors believe you used any level of intimidation to take something from someone, you can be charged.
How Strong-Arm Robbery Typically Occurs
There’s a wide range of conduct that can trigger these charges. Some incidents involve pushing a person to the ground and taking their phone. Others might involve threatening someone into handing over their wallet. You don’t have to lay a finger on the other person to face charges – the perceived threat of force alone can be enough. In New Jersey, prosecutors don’t need to show you had a weapon. They only need to demonstrate that your words or actions were meant to frighten the other person into surrendering their property.
These cases often turn on witness perception. A victim might report being terrified, even if the accused never made physical contact. That creates a challenge. Your New Jersey criminal defense attorney with The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall will scrutinize every detail. We’ll examine video footage, statements, police reports, and timing.
Our lawyers will identify inconsistencies that might unravel the state’s case. We understand how hard prosecutors push for convictions, but we push back even harder.
Penalties for Strong-Arm Robbery in New Jersey
New Jersey courts take strong-arm robbery seriously. Depending on the specifics, the charges often fall into the first or second-degree range. If prosecutors believe you inflicted bodily injury, they might push for first-degree robbery. That carries a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison. Even second-degree charges can result in 5 to 10 years of incarceration.
The potential for prison time is just the beginning. These charges can also result in steep fines, long probation periods, and a permanent criminal record. A conviction can limit your access to employment, housing, and education. That’s why we don’t take shortcuts. Your New Jersey criminal defense lawyer will prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. We don’t assume prosecutors will make fair offers. Instead, we pressure them to prove their case or reconsider their approach.
How the No Early Release Act (NERA) Affects Sentencing
The No Early Release Act (NERA) might come into play if you’re convicted of strong-arm robbery. This New Jersey statute applies to violent crimes and requires that those convicted serve at least 85% of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
That means if you receive a 10-year sentence, you’ll serve at least eight and a half years before you can even request release. Judges have little discretion once NERA is triggered. Prosecutors know this and often use it as leverage. A skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorney will evaluate whether the state’s charges qualify under NERA and challenge any enhancements they attempt to add.
Our team won’t accept inflated charges or exaggerated narratives that wrongly impose long-term consequences.
The Role of Conspiracy in Strong-Arm Robbery Allegations
Strong-arm robbery cases often involve more than one person. If two or more individuals plan and commit the offense together, prosecutors may add conspiracy charges under N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2. Conspiracy charges don’t require a completed crime. The mere agreement to commit robbery and an overt act toward that goal can be enough.
In some situations, people who weren’t at the scene still face conspiracy allegations because of their involvement in the planning. Prosecutors might argue that someone who acted as a lookout or distracted a victim was part of the conspiracy, making these cases more complex. Our lawyers will dissect every allegation, question each assumption, and push prosecutors to prove actual agreement and participation.
When prosecutors add conspiracy to a strong-arm robbery charge, the penalties stack. You’re not just looking at robbery sentencing – you’re also facing additional time for an agreement you might not have fully understood. Our lawyers will work to separate fact from fiction. We’ll argue for dismissal where evidence falls short, and we won’t let prosecutors lump defendants together without justification.
Aggravated Assault and Robbery Charges
Force or threat of force is central to strong-arm robbery. When actual injury occurs, prosecutors may tack on aggravated assault charges. Under N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1(b), aggravated assault includes causing serious bodily injury or using force against certain protected individuals. In the context of robbery, this means the prosecution can charge you with both crimes simultaneously.
Aggravated assault can escalate a robbery charge, especially if the victim was elderly, disabled, or a public employee. When a confrontation leads to bruising, bleeding, or broken bones, prosecutors often seize the opportunity to add more serious counts. We’ll examine medical records, injury photos, and incident reports to determine whether those claims hold up. Our lawyers will challenge the inclusion of assault when the evidence doesn’t support it.
Combining aggravated assault with robbery not only increases your sentencing exposure but also raises the stakes across the board. Your New Jersey criminal defense lawyer will push to keep these charges separate and reduce them wherever possible. We know how aggressive the state can be and bring that same intensity to your defense.
Understanding “Theft From a Person”
Strong-arm robbery isn’t the only theft-related charge that arises from direct encounters. New Jersey law also includes a lesser-known category: theft from a person. This charge applies when someone takes property directly from another person without using force or threats. It falls under N.J.S.A. 2C:20-2(b)(2)(d) and is often viewed as less serious than robbery but more serious than ordinary theft.
For example, quietly slipping a wallet out of someone’s pocket might trigger a theft-from-a-person charge. If prosecutors lack enough evidence to prove force or threat, they might downgrade the charge from robbery to theft from a person. This downgrade can mean a significant reduction in penalties. Your New Jersey criminal defense lawyer will explore that possibility. Our team will identify opportunities to push for lesser charges based on the conduct described.
We’ve seen many cases where the difference between robbery and theft from a person came down to a single word in a witness statement. Was there a shove? Was the victim scared? Did anyone see it happen? These questions matter. We’ll dig into those gray areas and fight to have the charges reflect what actually occurred, not just what the prosecution claims.
Why Strong-Arm Robbery Charges Require Local Insight
New Jersey’s courts don’t operate inside a bubble. The letter of the law may be statewide, but its application isn’t. Judges, prosecutors, and even jury pools vary dramatically depending on where your case lands. That’s why it makes all the difference when you’re represented by a criminal defense attorney who doesn’t just know New Jersey law – they know New Jersey’s courtrooms.
Our firm isn’t tethered to a single county. We have offices in more than 10 locations across the state, and we’re in local courts every single day. That kind of presence builds more than just familiarity – it creates influence. We’ve learned how prosecutors in Bergen differ from those in Camden. We know how judges in Essex weigh evidence versus their counterparts in Ocean. Those nuances matter. Your case won’t be decided in a vacuum, and your lawyer shouldn’t be guessing how local players think.
A Coordinated Team With Singular Focus
Our team includes 20 full-time criminal defense lawyers who do nothing else. That focus allows us to stay deeply informed about current legal shifts, trends in plea bargaining, and evolving courtroom tactics. We aren’t spread thin, juggling real estate closings or family law disputes on the side. When you hire our firm, your case benefits from a level of criminal law focus that most firms simply can’t replicate.
We talk to each other and share updates about changing prosecutor tendencies, recent rulings, and trial strategies that worked – or didn’t – in different counties. That collaborative approach gives you access to the collective brainpower of a team, not just one individual. Because we’re constantly working across the state, we catch on quickly when local strategies shift. If a prosecutor in Mercer suddenly starts pushing harder for mandatory minimums, we’ll know and adjust your defense accordingly.
That level of internal communication creates a fast feedback loop. If one of our attorneys discovers a successful challenge to a new police tactic in Union County, that strategy becomes part of our statewide playbook. Your lawyer will never be flying blind. They’ll have the backing of an entire organization that lives and breathes criminal defense.
Our Advantage Against Prosecutorial Overreach
Strong-arm robbery charges carry emotional weight. Prosecutors know this. That’s why they often overreach – piling on charges, inflating the threat level, and framing minor resistance as intimidation. They want juries to see a monster, not a moment of panic or misunderstanding.
Our attorneys don’t get rattled by theatrics. In fact, many of us used to sit on the other side of the courtroom. With firsthand experience as former prosecutors, we know how the state thinks. We’ve seen how they stretch a fact pattern, build momentum with weak evidence, and corner defendants into bad plea deals. Your New Jersey criminal defense lawyer with The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall won’t fall for those traps.
The advantage of having a defense attorney who understands prosecutorial pressure points can’t be overstated. We know the difference between a real threat and a tactical bluff. We recognize when they’re chasing a conviction versus when they’re just looking to avoid a drawn-out trial. That means we can negotiate from strength. If they try to overwhelm you with charges, we’ll dismantle them one by one. If they refuse to play fair, we’ll take the fight into the courtroom and make them prove every single element.
Building Leverage From Day One
Most people assume plea deals happen because defendants are guilty. The truth is, many deals get signed because defense teams aren’t ready to go to trial. When the state senses weakness, they tighten the screws. But when you show them you’re prepared for a legal battle, they hesitate. That’s the difference we bring.
Our New Jersey criminal defense lawyers don’t wait until the eve of trial to prepare. We treat every case like it’s headed for the courtroom – even if it never gets there. That mindset shifts the balance. Prosecutors know we’re not bluffing. They know we’ve built the file, prepped the witnesses, and run the mock arguments. That puts us in a position to demand better terms – or beat them outright.
Your defense isn’t just about picking apart the prosecution’s claims. It’s about making strategic decisions from the first moment you walk through our doors. Do we file for early discovery? Do we challenge the identification process? Do we push for suppression of a statement or seize on a procedural misstep? Each one of those steps builds leverage, aimed at creating options – plea, dismissal, or full acquittal – that reflect your best interests, not the prosecutor’s goals.
Taking Control of Your Defense Early
When it comes to strong-arm robbery accusations, time isn’t your friend. Prosecutors start shaping their case the moment they get the file. They collect statements, preserve surveillance footage, and construct a narrative built to convict. If you wait, their version of events starts to harden, and yours becomes harder to prove. That’s why early intervention isn’t just smart. It’s vital.
The moment we’re on your case, your New Jersey criminal defense lawyer starts pushing back. We don’t wait for the prosecution to define the story. We dig into the facts, request records, and examine the chain of custody. In addition, we find and interview witnesses before memories fade or pressure changes their stories. When we find flaws, we act. That can mean suppressing illegally obtained evidence, challenging probable cause, or filing motions that undercut the case at its foundation.
Strong-arm robbery charges aren’t static. They evolve. What starts as a second-degree offense can shift into something far less serious if the right pieces fall into place. However, those shifts don’t happen on their own. They happen because an attorney kept digging, asking the right questions, and refusing to take the state’s version of events at face value. That’s the kind of aggressive, hands-on approach we take with every case we handle.
Turn to a Skilled New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer With The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall
Don’t settle for assumptions or generic defenses when your future is on the line. Choose a New Jersey criminal defense attorney with The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, who will treat your case like the turning point it is. Choose a team that knows how New Jersey prosecutors operate and how to dismantle their case piece by piece. We’re ready when you are.
You can call (877) 450-8301 or contact us online for a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you.
Robbery Frequently Asked Questions
What makes strong-arm robbery different from armed robbery?
Strong-arm robbery doesn’t involve a weapon but still uses force or threat of force to take property directly from someone.
Can I be charged with strong-arm robbery if I never touched the victim?
Yes. The law allows charges based solely on threats or intimidation, even without physical contact.
How does the No Early Release Act affect sentencing?
NERA requires you to serve at least 85% of your sentence before parole eligibility if convicted of certain violent crimes.
What if I wasn’t the one who physically committed the robbery?
You can still face conspiracy charges if prosecutors believe you helped plan or participated in any part of the crime.
Is theft from a person the same as strong-arm robbery?
No, theft from a person doesn’t involve force or threats and generally carries less severe penalties than robbery.
