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.

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 stone 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 stone 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.