If you’ve been charged with robbery and see the words “Hobbs Act” on your indictment, you’re likely facing much more than a standard theft case. Hobbs Act robbery is a serious federal offense that can result in long prison sentences, firearm enhancements, and prosecution by some of the most experienced attorneys in the U.S. justice system.
The Hobbs Act, codified at 18 U.S.C. § 1951, was originally enacted in 1946 as a response to widespread labor racketeering and organized crime. Over time, however, federal prosecutors have used the statute more broadly to pursue robbery and extortion cases that impact interstate or foreign commerce.
To convict someone under the Hobbs Act, prosecutors must prove:
This “commerce clause” connection is what makes it a federal issue even if the crime seems entirely local at first glance.
Federal prosecutors don’t need a robbery to physically cross state lines to press Hobbs Act charges. Here are just a few scenarios that could trigger federal jurisdiction:
Because commerce is so interconnected, it’s surprisingly easy for a robbery to be interpreted as affecting interstate trade even indirectly.
Being charged under the Hobbs Act can lead to harsh consequences, often far more severe than those for state-level robbery charges:
The key difference between federal and state robbery charges is the scope and intensity of prosecution. State charges might involve localized investigations and more lenient sentencing guidelines. In contrast, Hobbs Act cases bring in federal investigators, strict sentencing rules, and the risk of additional firearm or conspiracy charges.
In many cases, defendants are charged under both Hobbs Act robbery and related federal statutes, which can lead to multiple counts and stacked sentences turning what may have been a single act of robbery into decades of incarceration.
At Glozman Law, we understand the complexities of Hobbs Act prosecutions and know how to challenge them aggressively. Our defense strategies may involve:
If you or someone you love is under investigation for Hobbs Act robbery, don’t wait. Federal charges move quickly and require an experienced defense team from day one. Contact Glozman Law today for a confidential consultation and start building your defense.