Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: law

I intend to only supplement R. Miller's answer. The FBI's bread and butter cases are bank robbery. Bank robbers are relatively easy to catch. When caught then the Federal Government may option to let the state try and convict the person(s) charged with committing the robbery. The various factors that go into the charges were discussed by R. Miller. However, under the Felony Murder rule, if the police in trying to apprehend the bank robber(s) intentionally or accidently kill anyone, the robber(s) can be charged with murder.

There are no smart crimes. However, bank robbery is one of the dumbest. And unfortunately dumb people surround themselves with dumb and/or desperate people.

Re: law

Thanks for your email. Although your question was simple, the answer is not. The reasons are that it depends on what exactly the charges that are FILED are. In some cases, the Federal Government is the agency that files against those committing bank robbery. In cases where the State Prosecutor's Office files the charges, the facts control what the charges are. If there are firearms, or several persons involved, the charges may be increased due to the addition of a conspiracy charge. If the person charged has priors which are "strikes", then that person may get 25 years to life. If someone unfortunately dies during the commission of the bank robbery, no matter if intended or even caused by the bank robber, then the "felony murder rule" may make it a death penalty case.

The short answer is that if you are contemplating such a crime, it is never worth it. You might be facing anywhere from 16 months in prison to a death sentence.