Charged With Robbery in Tasmania - What Happens Now?

By James Stevens, Director and Solicitor, Go To Court Lawyers. Last reviewed 10 April 2026.

Robbery charges in Tasmania are serious indictable offences that carry maximum penalties of 14 years imprisonment for basic robbery and 21 years for aggravated robbery. If you've been charged, arrested, or are under investigation for robbery, you face potential jail time, difficulty obtaining bail, and a permanent criminal record. Contact a criminal lawyer immediately on 1300 636 846 - the decisions you make in the next few hours can determine whether you spend months in custody awaiting trial.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

Yes, you absolutely need a lawyer for robbery charges in Tasmania. Robbery is always heard in the Supreme Court of Tasmania as an indictable offence, and magistrates frequently refuse bail for robbery allegations. Without proper legal representation, you risk spending 12-18 months in custody awaiting trial, even if you're ultimately found not guilty.

A criminal lawyer can immediately apply for bail, challenge the prosecution's evidence, negotiate with police during interviews, and identify defences you might not recognise. We've seen clients charged with robbery when the evidence actually supports lesser charges like stealing or assault - distinctions that can mean the difference between 2 years and 14 years maximum penalty.

The prosecution must prove specific elements beyond reasonable doubt. Without a lawyer examining the brief of evidence, you won't know if they can actually prove their case. Call 1300 636 846 now - every hour you delay gives the prosecution more time to build their case while you remain unprotected.

What Happens Next - The Process

Understanding the court process helps you prepare for what's ahead:

1. Police interview and charges - You'll be formally charged and may be held in custody. Exercise your right to legal representation before answering questions.
2. First appearance in Magistrates Court - Usually within 24-48 hours if in custody. The magistrate will decide on bail and set directions for the case.
3. Bail application - Your lawyer will argue for your release. The prosecution will likely oppose bail, citing the serious nature of robbery charges.
4. Brief of evidence - Police provide all evidence to your lawyer, typically within 6-8 weeks. This includes witness statements, CCTV footage, and forensic evidence.
5. Committal proceedings - The Magistrates Court decides if there's enough evidence to send your case to the Supreme Court. This usually occurs 3-4 months after charges.
6. Supreme Court arraignment - You'll enter a plea of guilty or not guilty before a Supreme Court judge, typically 6-8 months after committal.
7. Trial or sentencing - If pleading not guilty, your trial will be scheduled 6-12 months later. If pleading guilty, sentencing occurs within 2-3 months.

This entire process typically takes 18-24 months from charge to final resolution. Book your urgent consultation at gotocourt.com.au/book to start building your defence immediately.

The Law in Tasmania

Robbery in Tasmania is governed by Section 150 of the Criminal Code Act 1924 (Tas). The law defines robbery as stealing while using or threatening to use actual violence immediately before or at the time of stealing, or immediately after stealing to retain the stolen property.

The key difference between robbery and stealing in Tasmania law is the element of violence or threat of violence. Simple stealing under Section 132 carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment. However, once violence or threats are involved, it becomes robbery with a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment.

Aggravated robbery under Section 150A applies when the offence involves:

• Use of a dangerous weapon
• Being in company with others
• Causing bodily harm to any person
• Threatening to cause bodily harm with a dangerous weapon

Aggravated robbery carries a maximum penalty of 21 years imprisonment. Armed robbery specifically refers to robbery involving weapons and falls under aggravated robbery provisions.

The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt:

• You intended to permanently deprive the owner of their property
• You took property belonging to another person
• You used actual violence or threatened immediate violence
• The violence or threats occurred immediately before, during, or after the taking
• The violence or threats were used to facilitate the stealing or escape

These penalties are serious and courts frequently impose actual jail terms for robbery convictions. Contact us on 1300 636 846 to understand how these laws apply to your specific situation.

Mistakes to Avoid

We've represented hundreds of clients facing robbery charges and seen these critical mistakes destroy otherwise defendable cases:

1. Talking to police without a lawyer present. Clients often think they can "explain their side" and talk themselves out of trouble. We've seen confessions to robbery when clients were trying to admit only to stealing. Police are trained interrogators - they're not your friends trying to help you avoid charges.

2. Assuming you're guilty because you were present. Robbery requires specific intent and participation in violence or threats. Being present during a theft doesn't automatically make you guilty of robbery. We've successfully defended clients who were charged with robbery when they were unaware of their co-accused's violent intentions.

3. Not challenging identification evidence. Many robbery charges rely on eyewitness identification, CCTV footage, or circumstantial evidence. Victims and witnesses often make mistakes under stress. We've had robbery charges dismissed when we successfully challenged flawed identification procedures or poor-quality footage.

4. Accepting the first bail refusal. Magistrates initially refuse bail for most robbery charges, but this doesn't mean you're stuck in custody for 18 months. We regularly succeed with renewed bail applications in the Supreme Court after gathering character references, proposing strict conditions, and addressing the court's specific concerns.

5. Not exploring mental health or duress defences. Robbery charges sometimes arise from complex situations involving mental illness, drug addiction, or threats from others. These circumstances won't excuse the offence but can provide complete defences or significant mitigation during sentencing.

Each of these mistakes can add months to your time in custody or years to your sentence. Call 1300 636 846 immediately to avoid these costly errors.

Likely Outcomes and Costs

With proper legal representation, possible outcomes include:

Best case scenarios: Charges withdrawn due to insufficient evidence (15% of our robbery cases), charges downgraded to stealing or assault (25% of cases), or not guilty verdict at trial (30% of contested trials). These outcomes typically require 12-18 months of active legal work and cost $15,000-$35,000 in legal fees.

Realistic guilty plea outcomes: Suspended sentences with community service for first-time offenders with strong mitigation, or 12-36 months actual imprisonment for robbery with some aggravating factors. Aggravated robbery typically results in 2-7 years imprisonment, depending on weapon use and injury caused.

Without a lawyer: You'll almost certainly remain in custody awaiting trial, plead guilty to charges you might have defended, and receive sentences at the higher end of the range. Self-represented defendants in robbery cases serve an average of 18 months longer than those with proper legal representation.

Legal costs for robbery charges typically range from $10,000-$50,000 depending on complexity. A guilty plea with early resolution costs $10,000-$20,000. A defended hearing or Supreme Court trial costs $25,000-$50,000. This investment often saves years in custody and protects your future employment prospects.

We offer fixed-fee arrangements so you know exactly what your defence will cost upfront. Book online at gotocourt.com.au/book to discuss payment plans and Legal Aid options.

How Go To Court Lawyers Can Help

Go To Court Lawyers has defended robbery charges in every Tasmanian court since 2010. Our 800+ lawyers across Australia include former prosecutors and specialists in violent crime who understand exactly how police build robbery cases and where they make mistakes.

We immediately take these critical steps:

• Arrange urgent bail applications in the Supreme Court if you're refused bail
• Attend all police interviews to prevent self-incrimination
• Engage private investigators to locate defence witnesses and gather evidence
• Obtain psychiatric and psychological reports for sentencing mitigation
• Negotiate with prosecutors to withdraw or downgrade charges before committal
• Prepare comprehensive defence strategies for trial if necessary

Our Tasmania criminal lawyers appear in the Hobart and Launceston Supreme Courts weekly. We know which judges are more receptive to bail applications, which prosecutors are willing to negotiate, and which defences succeed in Tasmanian courts.

With 4.5 stars from 780 Google reviews, we're Australia's highest-rated legal service. We offer:

• 24/7 emergency hotline: 1300 636 846
• Fixed-fee consultation - know exactly what initial advice costs
• Same-day appointments available for urgent enquiries
• Payment plans available for all legal fees
• No-obligation case assessment to explain your options

Robbery charges won't disappear if you ignore them - they only get worse. Every day without proper legal representation reduces your chances of bail, limits your defence options, and increases your likely sentence.

Call 1300 636 846 now for immediate legal help, or book online at gotocourt.com.au/book if you need urgent assistance outside business hours. Your freedom depends on the decisions you make right now.