Criminal Defense Lawyers

18 U.S.C. § 2113 – Bank robbery and incidental crimes

So, what do you do if you get hit with one of these things? A federal bank robbery charge under 18 U.S.C. § 2113 is no joke. But, take a deep breath. We‘re here to walk you through it, step-by-step.First things first, let’s lay out exactly what this law covers. Because trust me, it’s a doozy.

What is 18 U.S.C. § 2113?

It’s the big kahuna of federal bank robbery laws. Basically, it criminalizes any robbery, theft, or even an attempt to rob a bank, credit union, or other lending institution that‘s federally insured.Now, when we say “robbery,” we‘re not just talking about some guy in a ski mask waving a gun around. 18 U.S.C. § 2113 covers a whole range of criminal acts, including:

• Taking money or property from a bank by force, violence, or intimidation (§ 2113(a))
• Entering a bank intending to commit a felony or theft (§ 2113(a))
• Stealing over $1,000 from a bank (§ 2113(b))
• Receiving, concealing, or disposing of stolen bank money/property (§ 2113(c))
• Using a dangerous weapon or assaulting someone during a bank robbery (§ 2113(d))
• Killing someone or taking a hostage during a bank robbery (§ 2113(e))

Got all that? It’s a lot to take in, I know. But stick with me, because it’s crucial to understand the different sections and what they mean for your case.

The Stakes? They’re High

Let’s be real here. Federal bank robbery charges aren‘t something to take lightly. The penalties are harsh, to say the least:

• For basic robbery (§ 2113(a)): Up to 20 years in federal prison
• For bank theft over $1,000 (§ 2113(b)): Up to 10 years
• For armed bank robbery (§ 2113(d)): Up to 25 years
• For a robbery involving murder or hostages (§ 2113(e)): Life in prison, or even the death penalty

Yeah, you read that right. Life. Or death. I’m not trying to scare you, but we need to call a spade a spade here. This is heavy stuff.So, what do you do if you find yourself staring down the barrel of one of these charges? Don’t panic. But do take it seriously and get yourself a first-rate federal criminal defense attorney ASAP.

Building a Solid Defense: Where to Start

Okay, let’s get down to business. If you’re facing federal bank robbery charges, your lawyer is going to look at all the angles to craft the best possible defense strategy. Some key areas they’ll likely explore:

Mistaken Identity

In a lot of bank robbery cases, the evidence often boils down to shaky eyewitness testimony or grainy surveillance footage. An experienced attorney will scrutinize every shred of evidence to sow reasonable doubt that you were actually the perpetrator.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Lack of Criminal Intent

For certain charges under § 2113, like bank theft, the prosecution has to prove you intended to steal from the bank. If there’s any ambiguity around your state of mind or actions, a skilled lawyer can use that to argue you lacked the required criminal intent.

Suppressing Evidence

Got any inkling the cops may have overstepped their authority in gathering evidence against you? Statements taken without reading you your rights? Illegal searches? We‘re all over those potential Fourth Amendment violations.

Overcharging

Prosecutors want to swing for the fences with the most severe charges possible. But the facts of your case may only support lesser charges that carry reduced penalties. We fight hard to get charges knocked down to more appropriate levels.

Affirmative Defenses

In some cases, we may be able to raise an affirmative defense like duress (you were forced to commit the crime under threat) or entrapment by overzealous law enforcement tactics. Longshot? Maybe. But we explore every possibility.The bottom line? We leave no stones unturned in building the strongest possible defense for your unique situation. Because…

Your Future Is On the Line

I’m not going to sugarcoat this. Federal bank robbery is considered a “violent crime” under the law. And convictions carry huge collateral consequences that can impact your life for decades, including:

• Lengthy prison sentences in a federal penitentiary
• Crushing fines and restitution orders
• A permanent felony record that restricts employment, housing, and travel
• Loss of certain civil rights like owning firearms or voting

Basically, a federal bank robbery conviction can be a life-altering event that robs you of your freedom, finances, and future opportunities. That’s why it‘s absolutely critical to have a powerhouse legal team like ours fighting tooth and nail on your behalf.

The Spodek Law Group Advantage

Here’s the thing. Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy in order to fight your case, and save their own time. They don‘t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next case.At Spodek Law Group, we leave no stones unturned. We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results.We understand the difficult and challenges of going through a case. If you‘re accused of a crime, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today.

We’re Not Your Typical Law Firm

What sets us apart? A few key differentiators:Unparalleled Experience: Our team has over 50 years of combined experience handling the toughest cases, from state courts all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court. Federal bank robbery charges? Bring ’em on.

Cutting-Edge Tech: Our fully digital platform allows seamless communication and total transparency. You can track every development of your case in real-time and collaborate with us virtually.

Nationwide Presence: While we’re headquartered in New York, our federal criminal practice is national in scope. No matter where you’re located, we can vigorously defend you.

Personal Service: We purposely keep our client roster lean so every single person gets our full, undivided attention and advocacy. You’re never just another case number to us.

Stellar Results: Our track record speaks for itself. We‘ve secured victories in countless federal cases, from pre-trial dismissals to full acquittals at trial.Simply put, when your liberty and future hang in the balance over federal charges as serious as bank robbery, you need to bring in the big guns. And that’s exactly what Spodek Law Group offers.

What You Can Expect From Us

Hiring our firm means tapping into a battle-tested federal criminal defense machine. But it also means gaining a partner fully committed to your goals. Here’s what you get when you bring us on board:

Full-Court Press: We explore every possible avenue and legal strategy to attack the government‘s case, from filing pre-trial motions to vigorous cross-examination of witnesses at trial.

Proactive Approach: We don’t just react to the prosecution’s moves. We get out ahead, conducting our own investigations and developing a comprehensive defense from day one.

Meticulous Preparation: You can bet your bottom dollar we’ll be the most prepared team in the courtroom, with every “i” dotted and “t” crossed. We leave nothing to chance

.Zealous Advocacy: As your attorneys, we have a sworn duty to zealously defend your rights and interests by any lawful means. We take that duty to heart and pull out all the stops.

Open Communication: Your case is our top priority, period. You‘ll have a direct line to your legal team to get updates and weigh in on strategy decisions every step of the way.

Empathy & Respect: We get that this is an incredibly stressful and uncertain time. You can expect compassion, straight talk, and to be treated like the human being you are, not just a case file.Look, I’m not going to lie to you. Beating federal bank robbery charges is an uphill battle given the seriousness of the allegations and the resources the government can bring to bear against you.But with the Spodek Law Group in your corner, you’ll be armed with a elite legal team that’s been through the trenches and knows what it takes to prevail. We’ve got the knowledge, the grit, and the firepower to go toe-to-toe with federal prosecutors.So if you or a loved one is staring down the barrel of charges under 18 U.S.C. § 2113, don’t go it alone. Reach out to us today to discuss your situation and get the legal representation you deserve.