Charged With
Robbery in Toronto?
One of the Most Serious Charges Demands Immediate Action.
Robbery — theft accompanied by violence or threats of violence — is a serious indictable offence carrying the potential for life imprisonment. Legal Solutions Law Firm mounts an immediate, aggressive defence.
Toronto Robbery Defence
Toronto Robbery Charges: Identity, Identification, and Evidence Are the Battleground
Robbery under Criminal Code s.343 involves theft accompanied by violence, threats of violence, or intimidation. Because it combines theft with an element of force, it is treated as one of the most serious property-related offences, carrying a potential maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
These charges frequently rely on eyewitness identification, surveillance footage, and circumstantial evidence connecting the accused to the crime — evidence that is not always as reliable as it initially appears. Whether the Crown can prove identity and the specific elements of robbery beyond a reasonable doubt is often the central issue.
Legal Solutions Law Firm carefully investigates every robbery allegation, from identification evidence to Charter issues surrounding arrest and search. Call or text 416-274-2222 for a free, confidential consultation.
Eyewitness and video identification are frequently unreliable — we scrutinize every detail of how identification was made.
Robbery charges frequently result in custody. We move immediately to secure your release on appropriate conditions.
We challenge whether the Crown can actually establish the violence, threat, or intimidation element required for robbery.
Know your total cost upfront. No hourly billing, with flexible payment options available.
Real-World Scenarios
Common Robbery Scenarios We Handle
Robbery allegations arise from a range of circumstances. Here are common scenarios we see across Toronto.
Retail or Convenience Store Robbery
An allegation involving a business, often relying heavily on surveillance footage and staff identification.
Street or Personal Robbery
An allegation of theft from a person accompanied by violence, threats, or intimidation.
Group or Co-Accused Robbery
A multi-person incident where the Crown must prove each individual's specific role.
Armed Robbery Allegation
A case involving an alleged weapon, which significantly raises the stakes at a bail hearing and at sentencing.
Disputed Identification Case
A charge based primarily on eyewitness identification made under stressful, fast-moving circumstances.
What We Handle
Robbery Matters We Defend
We handle robbery allegations of every circumstance across the Greater Toronto Area.
Our Approach
How We Defend Your Case
Call us right away — 24/7. Robbery charges require immediate strategic decisions, particularly regarding bail.
We move immediately to secure your release, building the strongest possible release plan for a serious charge.
We carefully scrutinize how identification was made — lineup procedures, video quality, and witness reliability.
We obtain all Crown evidence, including surveillance footage, witness statements, and forensic reports.
We negotiate directly with the Crown and, where necessary, bring a judge into the discussion for the best available resolution.
Given the stakes, we prepare every robbery matter thoroughly, ensuring every available defence is explored.
Plain Language Legal Guide
Robbery — What You Need to Know
Say Nothing to the Police
Given the severity of a robbery charge, it is essential to say nothing until you have spoken with a lawyer.
Anything you say — including an attempt to account for your whereabouts — can be used to build the case against you.
Identification Evidence Is Often Weak
Robbery cases frequently rely on eyewitness identification made under stressful, fast-moving circumstances — one of the least reliable forms of evidence in criminal law.
We examine lineup procedures, lighting conditions, and the length of time the witness actually observed the perpetrator.
The Violence Element Must Be Proven
Robbery requires theft accompanied by violence, threat of violence, or intimidation — without this element, the offence may be a lesser charge such as simple theft.
We challenge whether the Crown can actually establish this specific element of the offence.
Bail Is Frequently Contested
Given the seriousness of robbery, the Crown often opposes bail, particularly where violence or a weapon is alleged.
A carefully prepared release plan and, where needed, a suitable surety are essential to a successful outcome.
Party to the Offence
In group or co-accused situations, the Crown must prove your specific role and level of participation — mere presence at the scene is not automatically sufficient.
We carefully examine each individual's alleged role in the incident.
The Stakes of a Conviction
A robbery conviction carries the potential for a lengthy federal prison sentence and a permanent criminal record with serious long-term consequences.
Given these stakes, an aggressive and thorough defence from the outset is essential.
Know the Process
Where Your Case Is Heard — Toronto Courts
Robbery is a serious indictable offence. Toronto cases typically begin at the Ontario Court of Justice and often proceed to the Superior Court of Justice for a preliminary inquiry or trial.
Ontario Court of Justice — 10 Armoury Street
Toronto's criminal matters — including first appearances, bail hearings, and trials for summary and many indictable offences — are heard at 10 Armoury Street. This purpose-built courthouse opened in 2023, consolidating the criminal courts formerly split across Old City Hall and College Park into one 17-storey building, the largest courthouse in Ontario.
Superior Court of Justice — 361 University Avenue
More serious indictable matters and jury trials are heard at the Superior Court of Justice at 361 University Avenue, which houses both the Criminal and Family branches. This is a separate courthouse from 330 and 393 University Avenue, which handle Superior Court civil matters.
Know What's at Stake
Potential Penalties
Robbery is a straight indictable offence, reflecting how seriously the Criminal Code treats offences that combine theft with violence or the threat of violence. The information below is general — your actual exposure depends on the specific facts of your case.
Up to life imprisonment, among the most serious maximums in the Criminal Code.
A conviction results in a permanent criminal record with significant, long-term consequences.
Given the seriousness of the charge, the Crown frequently opposes bail, particularly where a weapon or prior record is alleged.
Where the violence or threat element cannot be clearly established, a reduction to a lesser theft charge can dramatically change sentencing exposure.
Understanding Your Options
Possible Case Outcomes — Best to Worst
Every criminal case can result in a range of outcomes. Our goal is always to achieve the best possible result — and in the vast majority of cases, that means no jail and no permanent criminal record.
Charged With Robbery? Act Immediately.
These are among the most serious charges in the Criminal Code, and early legal intervention is critical — particularly for bail and identification evidence. Legal Solutions Law Firm is available 24/7.
Why Legal Solutions
Why Choose Our Toronto Robbery Defence Lawyers
Robbery charges demand a lawyer who moves fast and understands the weaknesses in identification and circumstantial evidence. Ryan Manilla has defended serious violent property offences at the Ontario Bar for over 15 years.
We treat every robbery file as the serious matter it is — from the first bail hearing through to trial preparation if necessary.
Client Testimonials
What Our Clients Say
I had a very positive experience with Legal Solutions Law Firm. Ryan represented me in a family court matter and provided excellent guidance and support throughout the entire process. He was professional, knowledgeable, and always took the time to answer my questions and explain everything clearly. Family court matters can be stressful, but Ryan helped make the process much easier and gave me confidence every step of the way. I truly appreciated his dedication, responsiveness, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome. I highly recommend Legal Solutions Law Firm and Ryan to anyone looking for a compassionate and experienced family lawyer.
We tried to defend ourselves in civil court, but ultimately decided to hire Ryan — and it was the wisest decision we have made in the last two years of hell with our condo managers. Ryan and his team have been exceptional: swift, sharp, on the ball, and always asking the right questions while making the right arguments to move our case forward to the Superior Court.
Ryan did an outstanding job on my case. He was clear, professional, and always kept me informed. Thanks to his hard work, my charges were dropped. I’m very grateful and highly recommend him.
I wish I could add five more stars to show how happy we are with the legal services of Ryan J. Manilla and his team. They took charge of our legal matters, worked tirelessly on short notice, and delivered outstanding legal documents on time. Their teamwork, professionalism, patience, and understanding of our situation gave us tremendous peace of mind. Most importantly, we sleep better at night knowing that we are in good hands, with a legal team that has the expertise and compassion to handle sensitive matters with care.
I had a great experience working with Ryan at Legal Solutions. He is professional, responsive, and very knowledgeable. Any time I had questions, he got back to me quickly and provided practical advice. I wouldn’t hesitate to use him again.
I was going through anxiety not knowing what to expect with my case. Ryan explained everything simply and stood up for me at my hearing. I’m really thankful for his help!
I had such a stressful time trying to find legal help. I felt lost and hopeless when I got a notice to appear at the LTB. When I found Ryan, he stepped up and defended me. He’s knowledgeable about both the LTB and criminal law, and most importantly he’s tough! Exactly what I was looking for. I’m so glad I found him.
Ryan is a tough lawyer who defended us during a very difficult time. He helped me with a Landlord and Tenant Board issue. People told me to get a paralegal, but the ones I contacted either wouldn’t help or couldn’t communicate well in English. When I found Ryan, he explained the situation clearly and told me what to do. He showed up to the hearing tough and ready to go. I’m so glad I found him!
One of the best. Well poised, smart articulate. Know his stuff and one of the best lawyer out there to work with.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Defending Clients Across Toronto and the GTA
Our Reach
Serving Every Toronto Neighbourhood
From robbery charges arising downtown to cases across the inner suburbs, Legal Solutions Law Firm defends clients throughout Toronto.
From My Experience: Robbery Cases Are Won on Identification Evidence
Robbery cases are unusually dependent on one specific thing: how confident can the Crown really be that they have the right person? In my experience, that confidence is often much shakier than the initial arrest suggests.
Why I Scrutinize Every Identification
Eyewitnesses who experience a fast, frightening robbery are working with adrenaline, poor lighting, and split-second observation — not the ideal conditions for a reliable identification. I look closely at how any lineup was conducted, how much time the witness actually had to observe the perpetrator, and whether the description given beforehand actually matches my client.
Group robbery cases add another layer, since the Crown has to prove each person's specific role, not just that they were somewhere nearby. I've had matters resolved successfully simply by establishing that my client's actual participation didn't rise to the level the Crown alleged. If you've been charged with robbery, don't assume the identification against you is solid — call me and let's examine it: 416-274-2222.
Free Resources
Tools & Guides
Trying to understand how sentencing and parole eligibility work for a more serious charge? These free tools and guides can help:
Speak With a Robbery Defence Lawyer Today
Facing a robbery charge? Contact Legal Solutions Law Firm immediately for a free, confidential consultation. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.