Blog
What are the penalties for bank robbery?
Contents
So You Robbed a Bank: What Happens Now?
Well my friend, you’ve got yourself into a pickle. Robbing a bank is no joke—that’s a federal crime punishable by some pretty hefty penalties. I know times are tough and you probably felt desperate, but now you’re looking at potential prison time and fines that’ll make that stack of stolen cash seem like peanuts. Don’t worry though, I’m here to walk you through what comes next so you know what you’re facing.
The Charges Against You
Most bank robberies fall under 18 U.S.C. §2113 in federal law. There’s a few different charges they could hit you with:
- Bank robbery (up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000)
- Armed bank robbery (up to 25 years prison if you used a weapon or device)
- Kidnapping or murder during a bank robbery (up to life in prison or death penalty)
So yea, your looking at some serious time behind bars if convicted. The fact you robbed a bank makes it federal, so your facing the harshest penalties out there.
How They Build the Case
You better believe the feds will come at you with everything they’ve got. Bank robbery has over a 90% conviction rate, so they feel pretty confident about getting a guilty verdict.
They’ll use bank surveillance footage, eyewitness statements, fingerprints or DNA at the scene, tracking devices in the cash, marked bills, etc. Lots of ways for them to connect you to the crime.
If you had accomplices, they’ll probably offer reduced charges for anyone willing to testify against you. So don’t be surprised if your buddies sell you out to save their own skin.
Your Options For Defense
I won’t lie, it’s an uphill battle trying to fight federal bank robbery charges. But you still have options that could help your case:
- Claim misidentification – The evidence doesn’t actually place you at the scene of the crime
- Duress defense – You felt threatened or coerced into committing the robbery
- Insanity plea – You suffer from mental illness that impacted your actions
- Negotiate a plea deal – Plead guilty in exchange for reduced charges
An experienced federal defense lawyer might identify issues with how evidence was collected or statements were obtained from witnesses. Anything that casts doubt on the prosecution’s case could lead to charges being dismissed or reduced.
I’d avoid going to trial unless your lawyer feels very confident in your defense. Federal conviction rates are no joke—over 90% across the board. The stakes are so high here, a plea bargain may be your best bet at avoiding decades behind bars.
What Happens If Convicted?
Like I said earlier, 20+ years in federal prison if convicted of bank robbery. They’ll also slap you with fines between $1,000 to $250,000 on top of that. And that’s if you don’t hurt anyone during the crime.
Use a gun, physically assault someone, or put lives at risk? We’re talking decades more prison time or even life without parole. Not to mention restitution to the bank to repay what you stole.
You’ll serve time in a high security federal prison, far from family and any comforts of home. We’re talking violent offenders and gang members who won’t take kindly to a bank robber in their midst. It’s an extremely hard life, even if you manage to avoid violence yourself.