How New York frames it
New York defines robbery as forcible stealing, so the use or threat of force is what separates robbery from larceny. The degree increases with factors such as injury to someone or the involvement of a weapon, and the details of what was displayed or used are often contested. A shoplifting incident can become a robbery charge if force was used to hold on to the property right after it was taken, which surprises many people. Robbery charges in New York are felonies, and many carry significant exposure.
What the evidence looks like
Video, identification procedures, recovered property, and phone data are common evidence. Eyewitness identifications made under stress can be unreliable, and the procedures used, such as lineups or photo arrays, may be challenged. Where several people were involved, prosecutors may claim that each shares responsibility for the force used, and each person's actual role then becomes central. Medical records matter when injury is alleged, and the description of any weapon is often tested against what was actually recovered. Avoid discussing the case with anyone other than your lawyer, and save any information showing where you were at the time.
Early decisions
Robbery cases often go to a grand jury, and decisions about release and testimony come early. Where the accusation rests largely on one witness, the defense looks closely at how that witness came to identify the person charged. If the accused was a teenager at the time, age can affect which court hears the case. In a first meeting we review the charges, what force or weapon is alleged, the identification evidence, and the immigration and other collateral consequences that may matter to you.
