Accused of Robbing a Bank in Honolulu?

Take Action to Protect Your Rights & Future

Regardless of whether you acted out of desperation or were wrongfully accused, you need to retain the services of a Honolulu criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible if you have been accused of bank robbery. Because most banks are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Protection (FDIC), bank robbery is considered a federal offense. If you are convicted, you could be facing steep fines, a lengthy prison sentence, and life with a criminal record.

The penalties for bank robbery are much harsher when a weapon is used to commit the crime or threats are made against bank tellers. Even handing a written note to a bank teller can be considered a threat. Your case may seem hopeless, especially if there is incriminating evidence against you; however, it is best that you become informed of your options before you simply plead guilty. This could result in a reduction or dismissal of your charges.

How the Severity of Your Charges will be Decided

Since banks are federal institutions, bank robbery is considered to be a federal offense. This crime is covered under Title 18 § 2113 of the U.S. Code, which states that the severity of the resulting penalties will depend on several different factors—including the value of the stolen property and whether or not a weapon was used. If someone was injured or killed during the commission of the crime, this could also result in enhanced penalties.

Generally speaking, the penalties for bank robbery will include:

• You robbed or attempted to rob a bank by force: 20 years in prison & fines
• Someone's life was put at risk during the robbery: 25 years in prison & fines
• You stole at least $1,000 from a bank: 10 years in prison & fines
• You stole less than $1,000 from a bank: 1 year in prison & fines
• Someone was killed during the bank robbery: Life imprisonment or death