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Memphis Robbery Defense Attorney
What Nobody Tells You About Robbery Charges in Memphis
A robbery charge in Memphis is almost never just a robbery charge. Prosecutors routinely add aggravated kidnapping — because briefly detaining a victim during a robbery can satisfy the statute — and Tennessee law requires those sentences to run consecutively. Not concurrently. That means the sentences stack. A defendant facing aggravated robbery plus aggravated kidnapping isn't looking at 8 to 30 years. They're looking at that range twice over, plus the impact of prior criminal history under Tennessee's sentencing guidelines.
That sentencing reality is why robbery cases go to trial more than most felonies in Memphis. When a plea agreement doesn't meaningfully reduce the exposure, defendants fight. And when defendants fight, they need an attorney who has actually tried these cases in Shelby County courts — not one who settles everything and hopes for the best.
Attorney Mitch Wood has tried serious felony cases in Memphis courts. He understands the weight of what you are facing, the specific dynamics of how robbery cases are charged and prosecuted here, and what it takes to fight when fighting is the right call.
Although you may have been charged with a serious felony, this does not necessarily mean that you will be convicted. The prosecutor must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. Call (901) 578-1515.
Your Attorney
Mitchell Wood — Memphis Robbery Defense Attorney
Attorney Mitch Wood has tried serious felony cases in Shelby County courts, including robbery and violent offense cases. He knows how Memphis prosecutors build these cases, how they use codefendant cooperation agreements, and how to challenge identification evidence, surveillance footage, and statements made to police.
In a courtroom where the stakes are this high — where consecutive sentencing can mean decades — you need an attorney who will prepare for trial from day one, because the credible threat of trial is often the most important leverage in the entire case. Prosecutors know which attorneys actually try cases. Mitch is one of them.
Learn more about Attorney Mitchell Wood →
Tennessee Law
Robbery Charges in Tennessee — Classifications & Penalties
Robbery — Class C Felony
Robbery is defined as the intentional or knowing theft of property from the person of another by violence or putting the person in fear. Robbery, or "strong arm" robbery, is generally achieved without a weapon of any kind. As a Class C felony, robbery carries a prison sentence of 3 to 15 years.
Aggravated Robbery — Class B Felony
Aggravated robbery is accomplished with a deadly weapon or by display of any article used or fashioned to lead the victim to reasonably believe it to be a deadly weapon — or where the victim suffers serious bodily injury. Aggravated robbery most often involves the use of a gun or knife and can usually be accomplished just by brandishing the weapon at the victim. As a Class B felony, aggravated robbery carries a prison sentence of 8 to 30 years.
Especially Aggravated Robbery — Class A Felony
Especially aggravated robbery is accomplished with a deadly weapon and the victim suffers serious bodily injury. This is the most serious robbery charge in Tennessee and most often involves a robbery executed with a weapon where the victim is injured or maimed. As a Class A felony, especially aggravated robbery carries a prison sentence of 15 to 60 years.
Carjacking — Class B Felony
Carjacking is the intentional or knowing taking of a motor vehicle from the possession of another by use of a deadly weapon, or by force or intimidation. Carjacking is essentially a theft of a motor vehicle with the owner present — whether or not a weapon is used. As a Class B felony, carjacking carries a prison sentence of 8 to 30 years.
| Charge | Classification | Prison Sentence |
|---|
| Robbery (strong arm) | Class C Felony | 3–15 years |
| Aggravated Robbery | Class B Felony | 8–30 years |
| Especially Aggravated Robbery | Class A Felony | 15–60 years |
| Carjacking | Class B Felony | 8–30 years |
These sentences can be increased significantly based on prior criminal history. Tennessee's sentencing guidelines classify offenders as standard, multiple, persistent, or career offenders — each carrying progressively harsher mandatory minimums.
The Defense
How Mitch Wood Defends Robbery Cases
Robbery cases often turn on identification, intent, and the specific circumstances of the alleged incident. Eyewitness identification is notoriously unreliable. Surveillance footage can be misinterpreted or incomplete. Codefendants can be pressured into cooperation agreements that distort what actually happened. Statements made to police — even ones that seem innocuous — can be used to establish elements of the offense.
Mitch investigates thoroughly. He reviews all evidence the prosecution intends to use. He challenges identifications, examines the circumstances of any confession or statement, and explores every available legal defense. He prepares for trial from day one — because in robbery cases, where consecutive sentencing makes the stakes so high, the willingness and ability to go to trial is not a last resort. It is a strategy.
If you or a family member has been charged with robbery, do not make any statements to law enforcement. Do not discuss the case with anyone. Call Mitch Wood immediately: (901) 578-1515.
Common Questions
Robbery Charges in Memphis — What You Need to Know
Why is robbery almost always charged with aggravated kidnapping in Memphis?
In Tennessee, aggravated kidnapping is the unlawful removal or confinement of a person that substantially interferes with their liberty. Prosecutors in Memphis routinely charge aggravated kidnapping alongside robbery because the act of detaining a victim during a robbery — even briefly — can satisfy the statutory definition. The critical consequence is that Tennessee law requires robbery and aggravated kidnapping sentences to run consecutively, not concurrently. That means the sentences stack on top of each other, dramatically increasing the total sentencing exposure compared to what the robbery charge alone would carry.
What is the difference between robbery, aggravated robbery, and especially aggravated robbery in Tennessee?
Robbery is the theft of property from another person by violence or putting the person in fear — no weapon required. It is a Class C felony carrying 3 to 15 years. Aggravated robbery involves a deadly weapon or causes serious bodily injury to the victim — Class B felony, 8 to 30 years. Especially aggravated robbery involves both a deadly weapon and serious bodily injury — Class A felony, 15 to 60 years. These sentences can increase significantly based on prior criminal history under Tennessee's sentencing guidelines.
Why do robbery cases go to trial more than other felonies?
Because the consecutive sentencing on robbery plus aggravated kidnapping creates sentencing exposure so high that a plea agreement often doesn't offer much meaningful reduction. When a defendant is looking at decades regardless of whether they plead or go to trial, the calculus shifts toward fighting the case. This is why having a trial attorney — one who has actually tried serious felony cases in Memphis courts — matters so much in robbery cases. The threat of trial is real, and prosecutors know which attorneys will actually go.
What are common defenses in a robbery case?
Robbery cases often turn on identification, intent, and the specific circumstances of the alleged incident. Eyewitness identification is notoriously unreliable — people misidentify under stress, and lineup procedures can be suggestive. Surveillance footage can be misinterpreted or incomplete. Codefendants can be pressured into cooperation agreements that distort what actually happened. Lack of identity, lack of intent, and constitutional challenges to searches or statements are all viable defense avenues depending on the facts.
What is carjacking under Tennessee law?
Carjacking is the intentional or knowing taking of a motor vehicle from another person by use of a deadly weapon, or by force or intimidation. It is essentially a vehicle theft with the owner present — regardless of whether a weapon is displayed. Carjacking is a Class B felony carrying 8 to 30 years. Like other robbery charges, it is frequently paired with additional charges that can dramatically increase sentencing exposure.
What should I do if I have been charged with robbery in Memphis?
Do not make any statements to law enforcement without an attorney present. Do not discuss the case with anyone — including family, friends, or other inmates. Invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney immediately. The decisions made in the first hours and days after a robbery arrest can have a profound impact on the rest of the case. Call Mitch Wood immediately: (901) 578-1515.
How does prior criminal history affect a robbery sentence in Tennessee?
Tennessee's sentencing guidelines classify defendants as standard, multiple, persistent, or career offenders based on prior criminal history. Each classification carries progressively harsher mandatory minimums within the applicable felony range. A career offender facing an especially aggravated robbery charge can face sentencing exposure far in excess of the standard range. Prior history is one of the most important factors in evaluating a robbery case and negotiating a resolution.