Bank Robbery Defense Attorney in Torrance

A Former Prosecutor Who Knows How the U.S. Attorney’s Office Builds These Cases

A federal bank robbery charge moves on a different timeline than a state case. The FBI conducts the investigation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California handles prosecution, and defendants are typically brought before a federal magistrate the same day or the next day after arrest. Pat Carey spent more than eight years as a Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County, where he tried 65 jury trials and trained new prosecutors. That background means he understands how federal agencies build these cases from the inside, and he can begin working on your defense before the U.S. Attorney formally files charges.

Pat Carey is one of fewer than 400 attorneys in California holding Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist status, a designation issued to a fraction of the state’s approximately 250,000 licensed lawyers. We’re available 24/7 for clients under investigation or already facing charges.

If you or someone you know is under investigation for bank robbery in Torrance or anywhere in the South Bay, don’t speak to the FBI or any law enforcement agency before calling us. Contact Law Offices of J. Patrick Carey now at (310) 695-1118 for a confidential consultation.

What Federal Bank Robbery Law Actually Covers

Most people picture an armed teller robbery when they hear “bank robbery.” The actual statute, 18 U.S.C. § 2113, reaches much further. Because virtually all banks and credit unions carry FDIC insurance or Federal Reserve membership, robbery charges almost always land in federal court rather than state court.

The statute defines federal bank robbery as taking or attempting to take, by force, violence, intimidation, or extortion, any property or money in the custody of a qualifying institution. Beyond the traditional robbery scenario, § 2113 also covers:

• Attempted robbery and entering a bank with intent to commit a felony or larceny, even if nothing is taken
• ATM robberies and armored truck robberies involving deposits or funds connected to a federally insured institution
• Night depository thefts and other non-confrontational takings
• Receiving, concealing, or disposing of stolen bank funds under § 2113(c), which carries the same penalties as a bank theft offense under § 2113(b), up to 10 years in federal prison, even if you never entered the building
• Aiding and abetting, including acting as a getaway driver, which subjects a participant to identical penalties as the person who physically committed the robbery

Federal Penalties Under § 2113

Federal bank robbery carries a tiered penalty structure that depends on how the offense is charged and what happened during the incident. Sentences are governed by federal sentencing guidelines, which factor in criminal history, the amount taken, and weapon use.

• Basic robbery or attempted robbery under § 2113(a): Up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000
• Armed robbery or use of a dangerous weapon under § 2113(d): Up to 25 years and fines up to $250,000. A replica or toy firearm that looks real qualifies as a dangerous weapon under this enhancement.
• Bank theft without force or intimidation under § 2113(b): Up to 10 years if the amount exceeds $1,000; up to one year if $1,000 or less
• Kidnapping or death during the robbery or escape under § 2113(e): A mandatory minimum of 10 years, with exposure rising to life in prison or the death penalty depending on the circumstances

Prosecutors in the Central District frequently file multiple counts in complex cases, compounding sentencing exposure significantly. Understanding how those charging decisions are made and how to challenge them requires familiarity with how the U.S. Attorney’s Office actually operates.

Defense Strategies in Federal Bank Robbery Cases

Every federal bank robbery case rests on specific facts, and the government carries the burden of proving each element beyond a reasonable doubt. Depending on the circumstances, several defense approaches may apply.

Mistaken Identity
The FBI relies heavily on surveillance footage, dye pack residue, and witness identification. These sources are fallible. Challenging the reliability of identification evidence, including the conditions under which a witness viewed the suspect, is one of the defenses available.

Lack of Force or Intimidation
If the government can’t prove force or fear, it may not be able to sustain a charge under § 2113(a). A successful argument on this element can shift the case toward the lesser-included offense under § 2113(b), which can reduce sentencing exposure.

Duress
A defendant who was threatened with imminent harm and compelled to participate may have a duress defense available. The circumstances must be specific and documented, but it’s a recognized defense when the facts support it.

Institution Not Qualifying Under the Statute
If the targeted institution isn’t federally insured under the definitions in § 2113, the federal charge can’t stand. This may reduce the matter to a state-level charge with different penalties.

Suppression of Evidence
The Fourth and Fifth Amendments set constitutional boundaries on searches, seizures, and interrogations. Evidence obtained in violation of those requirements may be excludable, weakening or eliminating the government’s case.

Pre-Filing Intervention
Before the U.S. Attorney formally files charges, an attorney can engage directly with federal prosecutors or present evidence that undermines the government’s case. This window closes quickly, which is why contacting a defense attorney before speaking to investigators matters.

Why Torrance-Area Clients Work With Pat Carey on Federal Charges

Pat Carey’s eight-plus years prosecuting felonies for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office included training incoming prosecutors on how to build and try cases. That experience translates directly to federal defense: he recognizes the pressure points in a federal investigation, understands how charging decisions get made, and knows where the government’s case is most vulnerable before it ever reaches a courtroom.

Trial Record & Credentials

His trial record includes 65 jury trials across charges ranging from gang crimes to special circumstance murder, along with more than 1,600 preliminary hearings as a felony trial lawyer. He has handled thousands of robbery, burglary, fraud, theft, and embezzlement cases. As a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, he holds a designation shared by fewer than 400 of California’s roughly 250,000 licensed attorneys. Super Lawyers Magazine recognized him as a Southern California Rising Star in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, and the National Trial Lawyers Association has named him a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and a Top 40 Under 40 honoree.

South Bay Presence & Federal Court Familiarity

Our long-standing presence in the South Bay legal community includes familiarity with local prosecutors, law enforcement practices, and court procedures that shape case strategy at every stage. Federal bank robbery cases in this region are prosecuted in the Central District of California, and knowing how that office approaches charging decisions and plea negotiations is a practical advantage.

Contact a Bank Robbery Defense Attorney in Torrance Today

Federal investigations move fast, and the decisions made in the first hours after arrest can shape the entire case. Don’t speak with the FBI or any other law enforcement agency before you have legal representation. We’re available 24/7, and all consultations are confidential.

Call (310) 695-1118 or reach out online to speak with a bank robbery defense attorney in Torrance right away.