Chris Brown will not be charged with any crime after he reportedly took the cell phone of a woman outside a Miami nightclub. Last February, the woman reported to police that Brown stole her cell phone and police were investigating it as a possible Robbery. But, there were also conflicting reports. Some witnesses told police that the woman reached inside Brown's vehicle with the phone in an attempt to film him. The phone was either dropped inside the vehicle or snatched from her hand. After conducting an investigation, prosecutors denied charges because they did not believe that they could prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt (which is the burden of proof required in criminal cases). The decision was particularly important to Brown because he is currently on Probation for a Battery Domestic Violence Charge out of California, and a new criminal case likely would have resulted in a Probation Violation charge, and imposition of a jail sentence.
Robbery is an extremely serious crime. It is a felony offense, which carries a possible prison term of up to fifteen (15) years. When imagining a Robbery, most people think of masked gunmen storming a store or bank. However, in Nevada, any taking by force or fear is considered a Robbery. Defendants are routinely charged with Robbery for snatching bicycles or electronic devices away from others. Sometimes, prosecutors will "over-charge" simple misdemeanor Theft or Battery cases by alleging Robbery, Burglary or other crimes, simply so the prosecutor has more leverage in negotiations.
If you or someone you know is under investigation for a criminal offense, it is important to contact a Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorney right away. Involving a knowledgeable and experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer in the pre-charge investigation stages of the case can be crucial to achieving a good outcome. In some cases, the Criminal Defense Lawyer can intervene in the early stages and communicate with police and prosecutors to prevent charges from being filed at all, or at least to minimize the number and seriousness of the charges filed. The Las Vegas Criminal Defense Attorneys at Brown Law Offices can assist you in the pre-charge investigation phase of your case by analyzing the facts, identifying applicable defenses, developing the most aggressive defense strategy possible, and then communicating with police and prosecutors to try to achieve the best outcome possible for your case.