Fort Bend Robbery Lawyer

A robbery charge in Fort Bend County is a serious felony that can send you to prison for decades. If you or someone you love has been arrested, the most important thing you can do right now is hire an experienced criminal defense attorney before making any statements to law enforcement.

Experienced Fort Bend County Robbery Defense

Varghese Summersett is one of Texas’s most recognized criminal defense firms, with four offices across the state and a team of seasoned criminal defense attorneys. The firm has earned over 1,600 dismissals and more than 800 charge reductions across its practice areas. When it comes to felonies like robbery, that depth of experience matters.

Leading the firm’s Houston-area practice is Mike Hanson, Senior Counsel and Area Lead. Hanson is also Board Certified in Juvenile Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. He has tried more than 60 cases before a jury and previously served as an Assistant District Attorney in both Tarrant County and Fort Bend County. He knows how prosecutors in this jurisdiction build these cases—because he built them himself.

The firm has been featured in major media outlets across Texas and has received consistent recognition from Super Lawyers, including a Rising Star designation for Hanson. When you hire Varghese Summersett, you’re not hiring a solo practitioner. You’re getting an entire team behind you.

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What You’re Facing: Common Questions After a Robbery Arrest

People charged with robbery in Fort Bend County often come to us with the same urgent questions. Here are direct answers.

Is robbery a felony in Texas?

Yes. Robbery under Texas law is a second-degree felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony. Both carry the possibility of years or decades in state prison.

What’s the difference between robbery and burglary?

Robbery involves a direct confrontation with another person. Burglary involves unlawfully entering a structure—it doesn’t require a victim to be present. Robbery, by definition, requires another person to be harmed or threatened.

What if I’m charged with both robbery and another offense?

It’s common for robbery charges to come alongside charges like evading arrest, assault, or unlawful carrying of a weapon. Each additional charge creates additional exposure. A skilled defense attorney will evaluate each charge independently and look for ways to challenge or reduce all of them.

Can a robbery charge be reduced or dismissed?

Yes. Varghese Summersett has secured dismissals and no-bills on robbery charges. Results depend on the facts of your case, the strength of the evidence, and the quality of your defense. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

What Texas Law Says About Robbery

Under Texas Penal Code § 29.02, a person commits robbery if, in the course of committing theft and with intent to obtain or maintain control of property, they:

• Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause bodily injury to another person; or
• Intentionally or knowingly threaten or place another person in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.

The key phrase is “in the course of committing theft.” The prosecution must connect the alleged threatening conduct directly to an attempted or completed theft. That connection is an element they must prove—and one that a skilled defense attorney will scrutinize closely.

The State must prove every element listed above beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden is entirely on the prosecution. You have no obligation to prove innocence.

Aggravated Robbery

Under Texas Penal Code § 29.03, robbery becomes aggravated robbery—a first-degree felony—when the defendant:

• Causes serious bodily injury to another person;
• Uses or exhibits a deadly weapon; or
• Causes bodily injury to—or threatens or places in fear—a person who is 65 years of age or older, or who is disabled.

The prosecution must prove all elements of the underlying robbery charge plus at least one of the aggravating factors listed above, all beyond a reasonable doubt.

Robbery is also classified as a “3G” offense under Texas law. This means a judge cannot grant straight probation after a jury verdict of guilt. It also affects parole eligibility, requiring the defendant to serve at least half of their sentence before becoming eligible.

Penalties for Robbery in Texas

The sentencing ranges for robbery convictions are severe:

• Robbery (2nd degree felony): 2 to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; fine up to $10,000
• Aggravated Robbery (1st degree felony): 5 to 99 years or life in prison; fine up to $10,000

Beyond prison time, a felony robbery conviction carries lifelong consequences. You will lose the right to vote while incarcerated, lose the right to possess firearms, face difficulty finding employment and housing, and carry a permanent felony record.

Bond Amounts for Robbery Charges in Fort Bend County

Based on an analysis Varghese Summersett completed of over 10,241 bonds set in Fort Bend County in 2025:

Charge	Cases Analyzed	Bond Range (Typical)	Most Common Bond
Robbery (§ 29.02)	50	Varies	$50,000
Aggravated Robbery (§ 29.03)	62	Varies	$50,000

Bond amounts for robbery charges in Fort Bend County frequently reach $50,000 or more. Judges consider factors like criminal history, ties to the community, flight risk, and the specific allegations when setting bond. An attorney can argue for a reduction or personal recognizance bond at a hearing.

Common Defenses to Robbery Charges

Every element of a robbery charge is a potential point of attack. Here are the defenses our attorneys examine first:

No Theft or Intent to Steal

Robbery requires that the threatening conduct occur “in the course of committing theft.” If the prosecution cannot establish that a theft was being attempted or committed, the robbery charge may fail entirely. This is one of the most powerful defenses when the alleged conduct is disconnected from any theft.

Mistaken Identity

Many robbery arrests are based on eyewitness identifications. Research has consistently shown that eyewitness memory is fallible, particularly in high-stress situations and across racial lines. Our attorneys scrutinize every identification procedure—lineups, photo arrays, and initial descriptions—to expose weaknesses.

No Use of Force or Threat

The State must prove that the defendant actually threatened or caused bodily injury. If the evidence doesn’t support that conclusion—if witness accounts are inconsistent, surveillance footage is ambiguous, or no physical injuries were documented—the prosecution may not be able to meet its burden.

Challenging the “Deadly Weapon” Allegation

For aggravated robbery charges involving a deadly weapon, the State must prove the weapon was actually used or exhibited during the offense. Whether an object qualifies as a deadly weapon under Texas law is a fact-specific question that our attorneys know how to challenge.

False Accusations

Robbery allegations sometimes arise from disputes between people who know each other, or from situations where the accused is blamed for someone else’s actions. Our attorneys conduct thorough investigations to identify inconsistencies, alternative suspects, and exculpatory evidence.

Constitutional Violations

If law enforcement conducted an unlawful search, coerced a confession, or violated your Miranda rights, evidence may be suppressed. Throwing out illegally obtained evidence can fundamentally change—or end—a prosecution.

Restraint Enhancement

In some robbery cases, prosecutors seek an enhanced sentence based on alleged restraint of the victim. Our attorneys are familiar with how the restraint enhancement works and how to contest it when the facts don’t support it.

What to Expect: The Fort Bend County Criminal Process

Understanding what happens after a robbery arrest helps you make better decisions and reduces unnecessary fear.

Arrest and Booking

After arrest, you will be processed at the Fort Bend County Jail in Richmond. You have the right to remain silent. Use it. Do not answer questions about the alleged offense without an attorney present.

Magistration and Bond

A magistrate will set your bond, typically within 24-48 hours of arrest. An attorney can appear and argue for a lower bond or release conditions at this stage. The sooner you hire an attorney, the sooner this process can begin.

Grand Jury and Indictment

Felony robbery charges in Texas proceed through a grand jury. A grand jury reviews the evidence and decides whether there is probable cause to formally indict you. If the grand jury votes “no-bill,” the case ends there. An attorney can present mitigating evidence to the grand jury before a decision is made.

Pre-Trial Motions and Discovery

Your attorney will obtain all evidence the State intends to use, review it for constitutional problems, and file motions to suppress or dismiss where appropriate. This phase often determines whether a case goes to trial or resolves through negotiation.

Trial or Plea Negotiation

Most cases resolve before trial. If a favorable plea is available, your attorney will explain what it means for you. If a plea is not in your best interest, our attorneys are experienced trial lawyers who will fight your case in front of a jury.

Results in Robbery and Aggravated Robbery Cases

Varghese Summersett has a documented track record in robbery cases. The firm’s case results include multiple dismissals and grand jury no-bills on robbery charges. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case turns on its own facts.

What to Expect From Varghese Summersett

When you hire Varghese Summersett to defend a robbery charge in Fort Bend County, here is what you get:

Your case begins with a thorough review of everything the State has—surveillance footage, witness statements, police reports, and any physical evidence. No detail is too small. Our attorneys know that robbery convictions often depend on the credibility of a single witness, and they are skilled at exposing the weaknesses in that testimony.

You will have access to a team, not just one lawyer. Our firm includes attorneys with prosecutorial experience in Fort Bend County itself. Mike Hanson, who leads our Houston-area practice, spent time as a Fort Bend County prosecutor before joining Varghese Summersett. That experience means we understand how the Fort Bend District Attorney’s office evaluates these cases and what arguments resonate with local judges.

We communicate with you throughout the process. You will never wonder what is happening in your case. And we are available 24/7 for emergencies, because an arrest doesn’t wait for business hours.

To speak with a Fort Bend robbery defense attorney, call (281) 805-2220 any time of day or night.

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Watch: Robbery vs. Burglary—What’s the Difference?

In the video below, a Varghese Summersett attorney explains the key legal difference between robbery and burglary in Texas.

Frequently Asked Questions: Robbery Charges in Fort Bend County

What is the difference between robbery and aggravated robbery in Texas?

Robbery under Texas Penal Code § 29.02 involves using force or making threats during a theft. Aggravated robbery under § 29.03 requires one additional factor: serious bodily injury, use of a deadly weapon, or a victim who is elderly or disabled. Robbery is a second-degree felony; aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony with a potential sentence of up to life in prison.

Can I get probation for a robbery conviction in Texas?

Robbery is a 3G offense in Texas. This means that if a jury finds you guilty, the judge cannot grant probation. However, a jury may recommend probation in some circumstances, and a plea agreement may result in probation depending on the facts and the defendant’s background. An experienced attorney can advise you on whether probation is a realistic possibility in your specific case.

How long will a robbery case take in Fort Bend County?

Felony cases in Fort Bend County typically take anywhere from several months to over a year from arrest to resolution. The timeline depends on how quickly discovery is produced, whether pre-trial motions are filed, the court’s docket, and whether the case goes to trial. Having an attorney who knows the local courts and prosecutors can significantly affect how efficiently your case moves.

Should I talk to police after a robbery arrest?

No. You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment. Anything you say to law enforcement can and will be used against you. Politely invoke your right to counsel and say nothing further about the alleged offense until your attorney is present. This is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself.

What if I was wrongly identified as the person who committed the robbery?

False or mistaken identifications are one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in violent crime cases. If you were misidentified, your attorney can investigate the identification procedure, challenge the reliability of the witness, and present alibi or other evidence. Do not assume that the truth will come out on its own—you need an attorney working proactively to establish it.

Speak With a Fort Bend Robbery Defense Attorney Now

A robbery charge can change the course of your life. The earlier you get an experienced attorney involved, the more options you have. Varghese Summersett is available for a free consultation. Call (281) 805-2220, or use the chat tool above to get answers right now.