Charged With Robbery in Victoria - What Happens Now?

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

Robbery charges in Victoria are extremely serious criminal offences that can result in up to 15 years imprisonment for basic robbery, or up to 25 years for armed robbery. Unlike theft or stealing, robbery involves the use or threat of force to take someone's property, making it an indictable offence heard in the County Court. Police often refuse bail for robbery charges, meaning you could remain in custody until trial unless a lawyer successfully argues for your release.

Do You Need a Lawyer?

Yes, you absolutely need a lawyer for robbery charges in Victoria. This is not a matter you can handle yourself or with duty lawyer assistance alone. Robbery is classified as a serious indictable offence under the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic), and the prosecution will have experienced barristers working against you.

Without proper legal representation, you face several critical risks. Police may refuse bail, leaving you in custody for months while your case progresses through court. The prosecution must prove specific elements beyond reasonable doubt, and an experienced criminal lawyer can identify weaknesses in their case that you would never spot. Our lawyers regularly secure bail for clients charged with robbery when police initially oppose it, and we've helped clients avoid conviction entirely by exposing flaws in identification evidence or police procedures.

The difference between getting immediate legal help and waiting can be the difference between freedom and months in remand. Call 1300 636 846 now - our criminal lawyers are available 24/7 and can attend police stations or bail hearings immediately.

What Happens Next - The Process

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

1. Arrest and Charge: Police charge you with robbery and decide whether to grant bail or hold you in custody overnight
2. Bail Hearing (within 24-48 hours): If police refuse bail, you appear at Melbourne Magistrates' Court or your local Magistrates' Court for an urgent bail application
3. First Mention (1-3 weeks later): Brief appearance at Magistrates' Court where prosecution provides initial evidence summary and case gets adjourned
4. Committal Mention (6-8 weeks later): Magistrates' Court hearing where your lawyer reviews full prosecution brief and discusses whether you'll plead guilty or contest charges
5. Committal Hearing (if contesting): Magistrates' Court determines if sufficient evidence exists to send case to County Court for trial
6. County Court Arraignment: You formally enter your plea before a County Court judge
7. Trial or Plea Hearing: Either a jury trial (if pleading not guilty) or sentencing hearing (if pleading guilty) at County Court

This process typically takes 6-18 months from charge to resolution. Each court appearance is crucial, and missing any hearing while on bail can result in a warrant for your arrest.

The Law in Victoria

Robbery is defined under Section 75 of the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic) as theft involving the use or threat of force immediately before or at the time of stealing. This distinguishes robbery from simple theft under Section 74, which doesn't require force or threats.

The key legal distinctions in Victoria are:

Robbery (Section 75): Maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment. Requires proof that you stole property and used or threatened force immediately before or during the theft.

Armed Robbery (Section 75A): Maximum penalty of 25 years imprisonment. Same as robbery but while carrying a firearm, imitation firearm, or other weapon. Even carrying a knife during a theft elevates the charge to armed robbery.

Theft/Stealing (Section 74): Maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. Taking someone's property dishonestly without force or threats.

Victoria courts treat robbery as inherently serious because it combines property crime with violence or threats against victims. Even first-time offenders face real prospects of immediate imprisonment, especially for armed robbery charges.

The prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you: dishonestly appropriated property belonging to another person, used or threatened force immediately before or at the time of taking the property, and intended to permanently deprive the owner of their property. For armed robbery, they must additionally prove you were carrying a weapon.

Mistakes to Avoid

Talking to Police Without a Lawyer: We've seen countless clients damage their cases by giving police interviews thinking they can explain their way out of trouble. Police are trained interrogators, and anything you say will be used against you in court. Exercise your right to silence and demand legal representation immediately.

Accepting the First Bail Conditions Offered: Police often impose unnecessarily harsh bail conditions like curfews, reporting requirements, or location restrictions. Our lawyers regularly negotiate more reasonable conditions that don't destroy your employment or family relationships while still satisfying court requirements.

Pleading Guilty at the First Opportunity: Robbery charges carry severe penalties, and rushing to plead guilty before your lawyer has thoroughly examined the prosecution evidence is dangerous. We've had cases where identification evidence was flawed, CCTV footage was unclear, or police failed to follow proper procedures - weaknesses that only emerge after detailed case analysis.

Using Different Lawyers for Different Hearings: Robbery cases involve complex procedural steps from bail through to trial or sentence. Having different lawyers handle different stages means losing continuity and case knowledge. Choose experienced criminal lawyers who will represent you throughout the entire process.

Failing to Gather Character References Early: Whether you're seeking bail, negotiating with prosecution, or facing sentencing, strong character evidence is crucial. Start collecting references from employers, community members, and family immediately - don't wait until the last minute.

Likely Outcomes and Costs

The outcomes for robbery charges vary significantly based on your criminal history, the specific circumstances, and the quality of your legal representation. Our experience with Victoria robbery cases shows several possible results:

Best Case Scenarios: Complete acquittal after trial, charges withdrawn due to insufficient evidence, or plea negotiation to lesser charges like theft. We've achieved these outcomes when identification evidence was weak, police procedures were flawed, or prosecution couldn't prove the force element required for robbery.

Realistic Outcomes with Good Representation: Guilty plea to reduced charges, community correction order instead of imprisonment, or significantly reduced jail sentence through effective plea negotiations and sentencing submissions.

Without Proper Legal Help: Full conviction on robbery charges, immediate imprisonment likely, and maximum penalties closer to what prosecution seeks. Self-represented defendants almost never achieve favorable outcomes on serious charges like robbery.

Legal costs for robbery cases typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 depending on complexity and whether the matter proceeds to trial. This might seem expensive, but it's insignificant compared to the cost of conviction - potential imprisonment, permanent criminal record, loss of employment, and destroyed reputation.

Timeline-wise, guilty pleas usually resolve within 3-6 months, while contested matters can take 12-18 months to reach trial. However, getting the right outcome is more important than speed - rushing to plead guilty to avoid delay often results in worse penalties than fighting charges properly.

How Go To Court Lawyers Can Help

Go To Court Lawyers has defended robbery charges across Victoria for over 13 years, with 800+ criminal lawyers available in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, and every Victorian regional court. We understand that robbery charges create immediate crisis situations - potential custody, employment loss, and family stress.

Our criminal law team provides:

Immediate Response: 24/7 availability on 1300 636 846 for urgent police station attendance, emergency bail applications, and crisis legal advice. We attend Melbourne Magistrates' Court and all Victorian courts for urgent bail hearings, often securing release when police oppose bail.

Comprehensive Case Management: From initial charge through to trial or sentencing, our lawyers handle every aspect of your defense. We examine prosecution evidence for weaknesses, negotiate with prosecutors for charge reductions, and prepare compelling sentencing submissions highlighting your personal circumstances.

Transparent Pricing: Fixed-fee consultation lets you get immediate advice without fear of escalating costs. We provide clear fee estimates for different case scenarios, and our competitive rates make quality representation accessible.

Our track record speaks for itself - 4.5 stars from 780+ client reviews reflects genuine client satisfaction with outcomes achieved. We've helped hundreds of Victorians facing robbery charges achieve better results than they thought possible.

Don't face robbery charges alone. The next few decisions you make will impact the rest of your life. Call 1300 636 846 now for immediate legal help, book online at gotocourt.com.au/book, or request urgent assistance. Our criminal lawyers are standing by to protect your rights and fight for your freedom.