Juvenile Aggravated Robbery Defense in Texas

Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony in Texas and one of the most common serious charges a juvenile can face. A conviction or adjudication can mean commitment to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, transfer to adult court, and consequences that follow a young person for the rest of their life. If your child has been charged with aggravated robbery, you need aggressive, experienced legal representation right away.​

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What Is Aggravated Robbery?

Under Texas law, robbery occurs when a person, while in the course of committing theft, intentionally or knowingly causes bodily injury to another, or threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.

Robbery becomes aggravated robbery when:​

• The person causes serious bodily injury to another;
• The person uses or exhibits a deadly weapon; or

• The person causes bodily injury or threatens another person who is 65 years of age or older, or who is disabled

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Aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony, one of the most serious categories of offense in Texas law.​​

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What Makes Aggravated Robbery Different from Robbery?

The distinction between robbery and aggravated robbery often comes down to the presence of a weapon or the severity of harm caused. Prosecutors will frequently push for the aggravated charge whenever a weapon was alleged to be involved, even if it wasn’t actually used to hurt anyone. The mere display or implied presence of a weapon during a theft can be enough to elevate the charge.

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This means that in many cases, the facts are more nuanced than the charge suggests. Whether an object qualifies as a deadly weapon, whether a weapon was truly “exhibited,” and what your child’s actual role was in the incident are all critical legal questions that an experienced attorney must examine carefully.​​​

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Juvenile Court vs. Adult Court

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Because aggravated robbery is a first-degree felony, it is among the charges that make a juvenile eligible for transfer to adult court. Juveniles aged 14 and older can be certified to stand trial as adults for most serious violent felonies, which means exposure to adult prison sentences rather than the juvenile system’s rehabilitative programs.

Texas also has a determinate sentencing system for certain serious juvenile offenses, including aggravated robbery. Under determinate sentencing, a juvenile can be sentenced to a term of years that begins in the juvenile system but can be transferred to TDCJ when the juvenile turns 19. This is a serious outcome that can define a young person’s entire early adulthood.

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Trial and Defense Strategies for Juvenile Aggravated Robbery​

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We fight certification and determinate sentencing outcomes at every stage.

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Challenging the Theft Element

Robbery and aggravated robbery require proof that the defendant was “in the course of committing theft.” If the theft element cannot be proven, the entire charge falls apart. We examine what was actually alleged to have been taken and whether the legal standard is met.

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​Contesting the Deadly Weapon Allegation

Whether an item qualifies as a deadly weapon is a legal question, not a given. We challenge weapon allegations when the facts don’t clearly support them, which can mean the difference between a first-degree and second-degree charge, or between aggravated robbery and simple robbery.

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Questioning Your Child’s Role

Many juvenile robbery cases involve groups of young people. Was your child the primary actor, or were they present without a clear understanding of what was about to happen? Degrees of participation matter significantly to both the charge and the outcome.

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Challenging Identification

Eyewitness identification is notoriously unreliable. If your child was identified by a victim or witness, we scrutinize the identification procedure for errors or suggestiveness and challenge it in court when appropriate.

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​Self-Defense

In some circumstances, what appears to be an aggravated robbery involves a physical confrontation that your child did not initiate. When self-defense is applicable, we present it as a complete defense.

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Negotiating for Lesser Charges or Diversion

Not every case goes to a full adjudication hearing. When the evidence supports it, we negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges, deferred prosecution, or diversion programs, particularly for first-time offenders or juveniles with strong mitigating circumstances.​

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The Importance of Mitigating Evidence

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In juvenile cases, context matters enormously. Judges and prosecutors consider a wide range of factors, including:
 

• Your child’s age and maturity level
• Their school record and academic performance

• Family environment and stability

• Mental health history and treatment
• Prior record (or lack thereof)

• Evidence of remorse and willingness to change

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​We work to build a complete picture of your child as a person, not just as a defendant, and present that picture at every stage of the proceedings, from intake through disposition.

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What Happens After the Case?

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Even after an aggravated robbery case is resolved, we continue to advocate for your child. When eligible, we pursue the sealing or “expunction” of juvenile records to prevent a youthful mistake from defining your child’s adult life. We also connect families with resources such as counseling, educational support, and mentorship that can help a young person move forward

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An aggravated robbery charge is serious, but it is not the end of your child’s story. Contact our office today for a confidential consultation. We’ll explain your options, answer your questions, and get to work protecting your child’s future.​