Fort Worth, TX Robbery/Carjacking Defense Attorney

Aggressive Defense Lawyer Representing Clients Accused of Robbery or Carjacking in Tarrant County

An ordinary theft charge can become more serious when the act allegedly involved the use of force or threats. Under Texas law, you could face serious felony penalties for robbery or carjacking, carrying the possibility of years in prison and a permanent criminal record. If you have been charged with this serious property crime, be sure to seek legal representation as soon as possible.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, our Fort Worth robbery defense attorney can represent you in court. With over 10 years of experience in criminal defense, you can trust Attorney Edwardo Meza to provide you with straightforward, trustworthy legal counsel.

What to Expect From a Robbery Charge in Texas

The charge of robbery refers to stealing somebody else's property through the use of force or threats of bodily harm or death. In Texas, robbery is typically charged as a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If the allegation involves a deadly weapon, serious bodily injury, or other aggravating factors, prosecutors may pursue aggravated robbery, which is usually a first-degree felony punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

These cases often move fast. Police may rely on a complainant's description, surveillance footage, phone data, witness statements, or a show-up identification made shortly after the incident. That is why it matters to treat early decisions as high-stakes decisions, including what you say to law enforcement, whether you consent to searches, and how you respond to investigators or alleged victims.

Is Carjacking a Separate Crime From Robbery?

Texas does not typically label "carjacking" as a separate stand-alone offense the way some states do. Instead, what people call a carjacking is usually charged as robbery or aggravated robbery when the property taken is a vehicle and the allegation involves force, threats, or a weapon.

The specific charge depends on what the state claims happened. If the allegation is that someone took a vehicle by violence or threats, prosecutors may pursue robbery charges. If they allege a weapon, serious bodily injury, or certain victim-related factors, the case can escalate to aggravated robbery. In other situations, the state may charge theft of a motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, or related offenses, depending on the evidence.

Defenses Against Robbery Charges in Tarrant County

Robbery cases are often built on quick observations, incomplete video, and assumptions about intent. A defense strategy may focus on challenging identification, challenging the reliability of witnesses, testing the chain of evidence, and separating suspicion from proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Common defense angles include:

• Mistaken identity, including unreliable eyewitness identification, poor lighting, cross-racial identification issues, or low-quality surveillance footage
• Lack of force or threat, when the evidence supports theft at most, rather than robbery
• No intent to steal, such as misunderstandings, consent disputes, or situations where the alleged "taking" was not unlawful
• Self-defense or defense of others, when the state is reframing a confrontation as a robbery
• Procedural issues, including unconstitutional stops, searches, seizures, or improper identification procedures

Our attorney will work hard to identify and preserve evidence to dispute the prosecution's case, such as witness statements and surveillance footage. We can also point out mitigating factors to argue for a lighter sentence, such as a lack of prior criminal history.

Meet With a Fort Worth, Texas Robbery Defense Lawyer

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we can review the allegations, explain what you are facing, and start building a strategy aimed at protecting your rights at every stage of the case. Call 817-732-6392 or contact our Fort Worth, TX robbery and carjacking defense lawyer to schedule a free consultation.