Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony in Texas — one of the most serious charges a person can face. A conviction carries a prison sentence of 5 to 99 years or life, a fine of up to $10,000, and lifelong consequences that follow you long after release. If you or someone you love has been charged with aggravated robbery in Denton County, the time to act is now.
Experienced Denton County Aggravated Robbery Defense
Varghese Summersett is one of the most recognized criminal defense firms in North Texas, with offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Houston, and Southlake — and a dedicated team serving clients throughout Denton County. Our criminal defense attorneys include five attorneys who are Board Certified – the highest designation an attorney can reach.
Our firm of 70+ legal professionals has secured more than 1,600 dismissals and 800+ charge reductions. We have appeared in media across the country, and our trial attorneys bring former prosecutorial experience directly to your defense — including attorneys who have handled violent felony cases from both sides of the courtroom. Our Denton County defense lawyers are ready to fight for you.
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What Questions Do People Have After an Aggravated Robbery Arrest?
Being charged with aggravated robbery raises urgent, frightening questions. People want to know what this charge really means, how it differs from simple robbery, whether they’re looking at life in prison, and what their options are. Others want to know if the charges can be reduced or dismissed. These are all fair questions — and we want to give you real answers.
Many people also wonder about the difference between robbery and burglary. Robbery involves taking property directly from a person by force or threat. Aggravated robbery adds a weapon, serious bodily injury, or a vulnerable victim to that equation. Burglary, by contrast, typically involves unlawful entry into a building. The charge you face matters enormously because the penalties differ drastically.
What Is Aggravated Robbery Under Texas Law?
Under Texas Penal Code § 29.03, a person commits aggravated robbery when they commit robbery — as defined under § 29.02 — and they also:
- Cause serious bodily injury to another person; or
- Use or exhibit a deadly weapon during the course of the offense; or
- Cause bodily injury to another person, threaten or place another person in fear of imminent bodily injury or death, and that person is 65 years of age or older, or a disabled person.
Robbery itself, under § 29.02, means a person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another — or intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death — while in the course of committing theft and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property.
What the State Must Prove — And What It Can’t Assume
To convict you of aggravated robbery, the prosecution must prove every single element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. That is the highest standard in American law. The burden of proof rests entirely on the State — you are not required to prove your innocence or explain anything to anyone.
Specifically, the State must prove:
- You intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly caused bodily injury to another person, OR intentionally or knowingly threatened or placed another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death;
- This occurred while you were in the course of committing theft;
- You intended to obtain or maintain control of the property;
- AND one of the aggravating factors applied — a deadly weapon was used or exhibited, serious bodily injury resulted, or the victim was elderly or disabled.
If the State cannot prove each of these elements to the jury’s satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt, you are entitled to an acquittal.
Penalties for Aggravated Robbery in Denton County
Aggravated robbery is classified as a first-degree felony in Texas — the same level as murder. The penalties are severe:
- Prison: 5 to 99 years or life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Fine: Up to $10,000
- Parole eligibility: Generally requires serving at least half the sentence before parole consideration
- Firearm rights: A conviction permanently eliminates your right to possess a firearm
- Sex offender registration: Not required for most aggravated robbery convictions, unless a separate qualifying offense is involved
- Immigration consequences: Non-citizens face potential deportation and removal from the United States
- Employment: A first-degree felony conviction will appear on background checks and disqualify you from many professions
This charge carries no expunction eligibility upon conviction. What happens in the Denton County District Court — located at the Denton County Courts Building — can define the rest of your life.
Bond Amounts for Aggravated Robbery in Denton County
Based on an analysis Varghese Summersett completed of over 12,937 bonds set in Denton County in 2025, here is what bond typically looks like for aggravated robbery:
Typical Bond Amounts for Aggravated Robbery in Denton County
| Charge | Number of Cases Reviewed | Bond Range Seen | Most Common Bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aggravated Robbery (§ 29.03) — First-Degree Felony | 27 | Varies significantly | $50,000 |
Bond for aggravated robbery in Denton County is serious money. Judges weigh factors including the defendant’s criminal history, the alleged use of a weapon, whether the victim was injured, the defendant’s ties to the community, and any flight risk concerns. A skilled attorney can request a bond reduction hearing and present evidence to the court in support of a lower bond or release on recognizance.
To learn more about what happens after an arrest in Denton County, visit our Denton County Jail resource page.
Common Defenses to Aggravated Robbery
Every element the State must prove is a potential point of attack for the defense. Our attorneys work to identify where the prosecution’s case is weakest and build a strategy from there.
Identity — Mistaken or Misidentified
Eyewitness identification is notoriously unreliable, particularly under the stress of a traumatic event like a robbery. Police lineup procedures, suggestive questioning, and poor lighting at a crime scene can all produce false identifications. If the State cannot conclusively prove you were the person who committed the offense, reasonable doubt exists.
No Deadly Weapon
The difference between robbery (a second-degree felony) and aggravated robbery (a first-degree felony) often hinges on whether a deadly weapon was used or exhibited. If the alleged weapon was not a deadly weapon under the law — or was never actually displayed to the alleged victim — the aggravating factor may not hold.
No Serious Bodily Injury
Texas law defines serious bodily injury as injury that creates a substantial risk of death, causes permanent disfigurement, or results in the protracted loss or impairment of any organ or body part. A bruise or minor cut does not qualify. Challenging the severity of the alleged injury can be critical to reducing the charge.
No Theft or No Intent to Take
Robbery requires that the force or threat occur “in the course of committing theft.” If you were not in the act of taking someone’s property — or had no intent to permanently deprive them of it — the robbery element itself may be absent.
Self-Defense
Texas law recognizes the right to defend yourself or others from attack. If you used force in response to an unlawful act being committed against you, the conduct may be justified. Self-defense is a legitimate defense to violent crimes when properly supported by the facts.
False Accusation
In some cases, people are falsely accused of robbery as a result of a personal dispute, a misidentification, or a deliberate fabrication. When the alleged victim has a motive to lie — or when the physical evidence contradicts the accusation — that is a defense the jury needs to hear.
The Legal Process for Aggravated Robbery Charges in Denton County
Once you are arrested and charged, the case moves through the Denton County criminal court system. Here is what to generally expect:
- Arrest and booking: You will be taken to the Denton County Jail at 127 N. Woodrow Lane in Denton. Bond will be set, typically at a magistrate hearing.
- Grand jury: Because aggravated robbery is a felony, the case must be presented to a grand jury. If the grand jury believes there is probable cause, they will return an indictment. If not, the case is “no-billed” — which ends the prosecution.
- Arraignment: Once indicted, you will be formally read the charges and enter a plea.
- Pre-trial motions: Your attorney may file motions to suppress evidence, challenge the indictment, or exclude certain witness testimony. These hearings can significantly shape what evidence the jury hears — or whether the case proceeds at all.
- Plea negotiations: Many cases resolve through negotiated plea agreements. For a charge this serious, however, pleading without a fight is rarely the right answer without a full evaluation of the evidence.
- Trial: If no acceptable resolution is reached, the case goes to trial — either before a jury or, with the State’s consent, before a judge.
Denton County District Courts handle all felony matters. Cases are assigned to one of several district courts, all housed at the Denton County Courts Building. Prosecutors from the Denton County District Attorney’s Office handle these cases, and they are experienced. You need a defense team that is just as experienced — and battle-tested in Texas courtrooms.
Case Results in Aggravated Robbery Cases
Varghese Summersett has handled numerous aggravated robbery cases over the years, securing favorable outcomes including dismissals and no-bills. Historically, the firm has secured results including:
- Aggravated robbery cases no-billed by grand juries (meaning charges were never formally brought)
- Aggravated robbery cases dismissed
- Aggravated robbery case resolved with 18 months’ probation, with a companion evading arrest charge dismissed
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Every case is different, and the outcome depends on the specific facts, evidence, witnesses, and circumstances involved. What these results demonstrate is that even in serious felony cases, skilled representation can make a difference at every stage of the process — from the grand jury room to the trial court.
What to Expect From Varghese Summersett
An aggravated robbery charge demands serious legal firepower. When you work with Varghese Summersett, here is what you get from day one:
Your case will be evaluated by attorneys who have handled the most serious violent felonies in Texas — not handed off to an associate. Our Denton County criminal defense attorneys know the judges, prosecutors, and procedures in these courts. That local knowledge matters when we’re negotiating a plea, requesting a bond reduction, or picking a jury.
We investigate your case thoroughly — reviewing police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, body camera recordings, and forensic evidence. We challenge unreliable identification procedures, question the chain of custody for physical evidence, and file motions to suppress when law enforcement cut corners. We also prepare every case as if it’s going to trial, because that preparation is what produces better results — even in cases that resolve without a verdict.
With Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists on our team, former prosecutors on staff, and a track record that includes 1,600+ dismissals and 800+ charge reductions, Varghese Summersett brings everything a serious defense requires. You can reach our Denton office at (940) 252-2220 — seven days a week.
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Watch: What’s the Difference Between Robbery and Burglary?
Understanding the distinction between robbery and related charges is important when building a defense. Watch this brief explanation from our attorneys:
Watch: What’s the Difference Between Robbery and Burglary?
For more criminal defense videos specific to Denton County cases, visit our Denton County criminal defense playlist on YouTube.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aggravated Robbery in Denton County
Can aggravated robbery be reduced to a lesser charge?
Yes — in some cases. If the evidence doesn’t support one of the aggravating factors (such as the use of a deadly weapon or the presence of an elderly or disabled victim), the charge may be reduced to robbery, which is a second-degree felony carrying 2 to 20 years. Our attorneys analyze every case to identify which elements of the charge are provable and which are vulnerable to challenge.
What happens if I was accused but didn’t physically hurt anyone?
Under Texas law, you don’t have to cause bodily injury to be charged with aggravated robbery. Using or exhibiting a deadly weapon during the course of a theft — even if no one is hurt — is enough to elevate the charge to a first-degree felony. That said, the absence of physical injury to the victim is still relevant to bond hearings, plea negotiations, and potentially a jury’s view of the case.
Will I go to prison if convicted?
A conviction for aggravated robbery carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Probation is not available for anyone convicted of using or exhibiting a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony if the judge or jury finds that the defendant used or exhibited a deadly weapon. This is why the specific findings in your case matter so much — and why the fight begins before any verdict is entered.
How long will my case take in Denton County?
Felony cases in Denton County typically move through the system over several months to well over a year, depending on the complexity of the evidence, court docket timing, and whether the case goes to trial. Grand jury presentation alone can take weeks to months from the date of arrest. Your attorney should be working to advance your case strategically at every stage, not simply waiting for the calendar to move.
What should I do — or not do — after an arrest?
Do not speak to police, investigators, or prosecutors without an attorney present. Do not discuss your case with anyone in the jail, including cellmates, because those conversations can and will be used against you. Do not post anything on social media about the case or the incident. The single most important thing you can do after an arrest is call an experienced criminal defense attorney as quickly as possible.
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Speak With a Denton County Aggravated Robbery Lawyer Today
A first-degree felony charge is not something to face without serious legal representation. The Denton County District Attorney’s Office has experienced prosecutors, resources, and institutional knowledge on their side. You deserve a defense team with equal firepower.
Varghese Summersett has defended clients against aggravated robbery charges at every stage of the process. Our attorneys know Denton County courts, and we are ready to put that knowledge to work for you. Call (940) 252-2220 around the clock for a free, confidential consultation.
