Milford, NH Robbery Criminal Defense Attorneys

Arrested for Robbery? Here’s What You Need to Know.

A robbery arrest in Milford is serious and it can feel like your life’s been put on pause. You’re being accused of using or threatening force to take something, and in New Hampshire, that brings real consequences.

You’re probably dealing with a lot of questions right now. What happens next? What are you supposed to do? 

Our Milford robbery criminal defense attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, have helped people in your shoes navigate this exact situation. We know these courts, these prosecutors, and what it takes to protect your future when it feels like everything is at stake.

Call (603) 716-9415 today to request your free consultation. 

What Is Robbery in New Hampshire?

Robbery isn’t just about taking something that isn’t yours. It’s taking something through fear or force. That’s what makes it different from theft in the eyes of New Hampshire law. It becomes robbery when someone threatens or uses physical force to steal.

Let’s clear up some confusion by comparing robbery to similar charges:

• Robbery: Stealing something with force or the threat of force. It’s seen as a violent offense and carries serious penalties. Prosecutors usually treat it as a high-priority felony.
• Theft: Taking something that doesn’t belong to you without threatening or hurting anyone. Still illegal, but not quite as severe. It can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the value.
• Burglary: Going into a place without permission, planning to commit a crime inside. You don’t have to steal. Intent is enough. Even entering an unlocked building counts.
• Assault: Hurting or threatening to hurt someone. If there’s no theft involved, it’s just assault, not robbery. But if property is involved, the charge may escalate.

In New Hampshire:

• Robbery starts as a Class B felony.
• But if someone gets hurt or a weapon is involved, it becomes a Class A felony.

Here’s what’s on the table if you’re convicted:

• Up to 7 years in prison for a Class B felony. And that could get worse if you’ve had legal trouble before. Time served could start right after sentencing.
• Up to 15 years, or more, for a Class A felony. Especially if a gun or knife was used. Judges take weapon involvement very seriously.
• Thousands in fines. And don’t forget restitution, which means you might owe money to the victim. Financial penalties can follow you for years.
• A felony record that never really goes away. It follows you around when you’re applying for jobs, housing, or even school. Some professional licenses may also be off-limits.
• Emotional weight. This isn’t just about court . It’s about your life and your family’s future. The mental strain can be just as damaging as the legal outcome.

This isn’t something you can afford to ignore. The consequences are real, and they last. But with the right defense, you can fight back.

What Happens After a Robbery Arrest in Milford?

Getting arrested is jarring. It’s not just the handcuffs and the ride in the cruiser. It’s the shock. It’s the questions spinning in your head.

Let’s walk through what usually happens next:

1. Arrest & Booking: Milford Police take you in. You’re fingerprinted, photographed, and your belongings are collected. Holding can last for hours or overnight. You might be questioned during this time, so know your rights.
2. Initial Appearance: You’ll go before a judge in Milford District Court. They’ll explain the charges and ask if you have a lawyer. The judge might also advise you of your right to remain silent.
3. Bail Hearing: This is when the judge decides whether you’ll stay locked up or go home. Sometimes bail is set, other times it’s denied. Conditions may follow either way. Bail may depend on your past record and how serious the charge is.
4. Transfer to Superior Court: Since robbery is a felony, your case moves to Hillsborough County Superior Court (North). This is where the bigger legal steps happen. You may face indictment by a grand jury before trial.

It’s a lot. You might feel like you’re drowning in details. But our New Hampshire law firm is here to walk you through every part, one step at a time.

Strong Defense Strategies That Can Turn Things Around

You might feel like the odds are stacked against you. But here’s the truth — a good defense can make all the difference.

We don’t use cookie-cutter strategies. Our criminal defense lawyers dig in, find out what really happened, and craft a plan around your exact situation.

Here are a few defense strategies we’ve used to help clients turn things around:

• Mistaken Identity: Witnesses can be wrong. Cameras can mislead. Just because someone pointed a finger doesn’t mean it was you. We'll challenge how you were identified and whether the ID was legally reliable.
• No Intent to Use Force: Maybe you didn’t mean to threaten anyone. If the situation got misunderstood, that can change the charge. Without intent, the case for robbery gets a lot weaker.
• No Actual Violence or Threat: If there was no force or real threat involved, it might not qualify as robbery under the law. Proving the lack of fear or threat can shift the entire charge.
• Improper Police Action: Did they search you without a warrant? Skip reading you your rights? Those missteps could throw the case into question. Any rights violation could mean getting evidence thrown out.

Every little detail matters. We’ll comb through the evidence, the timeline, the paperwork — and fight to make sure nothing is overlooked.

How Robbery Investigations Work in Milford

Milford police jump on robbery reports quickly. They collect evidence fast, and they build cases based on whatever they find. But fast doesn’t always mean right.

These are the main pieces investigators usually rely on:

• Surveillance Footage: They’ll check cameras near places like the Milford Oval or Shaw’s Plaza. But blurry video and weird angles can twist the truth. Time stamps, shadows, and distance can all distort what’s seen.
• Eyewitness Accounts: People mean well, but they get things wrong, especially when they’re scared. Stress messes with memory. Identifying someone under pressure can lead to mistakes.
• Forensics: Things like fingerprints, DNA, or clothing fibers. But if evidence isn’t collected or stored properly, it might not hold up. Lab errors or contamination could render results useless.

We challenge every piece of it. Does the timeline make sense? Was that video even clear? Could someone else have touched that object? If there’s a weak spot, our local legal professionals will find it.

The Advantage of Local Insight in Milford

When you’re facing robbery charges in Milford, having local knowledge is a game changer. We know this area. We’ve stood in front of these judges. We’ve gone up against these prosecutors.

That kind of experience isn’t in a textbook. It’s in the trenches.

• Prosecutors: In Hillsborough County, they often lean on witness stories. That gives us an opening. Those stories can be questioned. We know how to test their evidence and poke holes in it.
• Judges: Some judges are open to alternative sentences, like community programs, if they see you’re serious about turning things around. Presenting your case with context can influence a judge’s decision.
• Police Habits: We’ve seen how Milford PD works. When something doesn’t line up, we know what to look for. Past patterns help us anticipate mistakes in current cases.

This isn’t just strategy. It’s insight. It’s understanding the people, the process, and the pressure and using that to your advantage.

Life After a Robbery Charge: The Personal Fallout

Let’s talk about what happens after the arrest. The charge doesn’t just sit on paper. It follows you everywhere.

• Work: Employers might skip right over your application. You could be totally qualified, and it still doesn’t matter. Job interviews get harder when there’s a felony in your background.
• Housing: One background check, and your rental hopes could vanish. Landlords often see “felony” and stop reading. Securing loans for a home becomes more difficult too.
• Reputation: Milford’s a tight-knit town. Word gets around fast, and people can judge without knowing the facts. Social media and local news can spread information quickly.
• Relationships: It’s hard. Friends may distance themselves. Family might not know what to think or how to support you. Misunderstandings and assumptions can damage trust fast.

And then there’s the emotional side — fear, guilt, frustration, and that sinking feeling in your chest that doesn’t go away. That’s real.

But we look beyond the case. We look at you. The whole picture.

Here’s how we help you pick up the pieces:

• Push for lesser charges or diversion programs. That could mean community service, rehab, or classes — things that show you’re taking responsibility. It gives you a shot at a future without a conviction hanging over your head. It also signals to the court that you’re taking the situation seriously.
• Help clean up your record later if eligible. Annulment isn’t automatic, but we’ll walk you through what’s possible. Getting your record cleared opens doors and lifts a huge weight off your shoulders. It can also restore access to jobs and housing.
• Support you as you rebuild your name and future. We’ll connect you with real resources — jobs, education, support networks. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Our team stays invested in your progress even after court ends.

FAQs About Robbery Charges in Milford

What’s the difference between robbery and theft?

Robbery uses fear or force. Theft doesn’t. That one factor changes the charge completely.

Will a robbery charge stay on my record?

If you’re convicted, yes. But if we can reduce or dismiss it, you might be able to clear it down the road.

Can robbery charges be reduced?

Absolutely. In the right situation. Weak evidence, no weapon, or no injuries could make a big difference.

Let Horn Wright, LLP, Defend Your Future

You’re not just dealing with a legal problem, you’re dealing with a life crisis. Our criminal defense attorneys at Horn Wright, LLP, have stood beside people just like you in Milford, helping them take back control when everything seemed lost. 

We bring strength, compassion, and strategy to every case we handle. And we don’t give up. If you’re ready to fight for your future, one of the country’s most respected law firms is ready to fight with you. 

Contact our office today to schedule your complimentary case review.