Texas Robbery Charge

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas (houston)

A friend of mine was caught leaving a store with $150 merchandise by plain clothes store security. He was charged with a Robbery with bodiy injury (felony 2). He has no priors of any sort and a stable job history (professional job) for the past 15 years.


The security failed to id themselves outside the store as they came up behind him. All they told him was to come with them. One of the guards was very menacing with tattoos (gang like) all over himself and bodybuilder huge. My friend wasn't sure whom the guys were and when they ID themselves he willingly went into the store.

They took him to a back room and locked the office and the security mgr told them to waiit for the police to arrive until searching my friend. The security mgr left the room. The two guards proceeded to yell and wand him, and search him anyway. They asked him to then empty the rest of his pockets (car keys). My friend complied but asked to keep his keys as they had his medication attached in a pill case. The guard started pulling the keys out of his hands without warning. Then the other guard jumped on my friend's back. They without provocation beat him up. My friend is severly disabled and pleaded for them to stop.

Then they laughed and said that he was gonna go to prison for a felony robbery with bodily injury.


What all of the guards told the police was that my friend hit one of the guards in the arm outside of the store. They never of course admitted what they did inside the store or the fact that my friend complied with them. He was charged with a Felony 2 in Texas.

My question is...in Texas....what sort of a sentence is usually associated with a robbery with bodily injury? Especially given the fact that he has a clean record (not even a ticket for speeding)?


I just want an honest opinion. Yes he has talked with an attorney but, I just want to get some opinions that aren't asking for a huge fee. Attorney's have a habit of promising lots of nice scenario's but all come with a hugh bill :)


Also....how does the guards claim of my friend punching him in the arm constitute a robbery with bodily injury?

Sorry for all of the questions but please give me some honest opinions. My friend shouldn't have stolen anything but he never hit anyone and just wants to see an honest charge for the shoplifting.


Texas (houston)

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Quoting txhoustongal

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The guard started pulling the keys out of his hands without warning. Then the other guard jumped on my friend's back. They without provocation beat him up. My friend is severly disabled and pleaded for them to stop.

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Quoting txhoustongal

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What all of the guards told the police was that my friend hit one of the guards in the arm outside of the store.

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Your friend's lawyer should check to see if there were surveillance videos.

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Quoting txhoustongal

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They never of course admitted what they did inside the store or the fact that my friend complied with them. He was charged with a Felony 2 in Texas.

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And when your friend was arrested he had no injuries despite this incredible battery? And forgot to mention it to the police?

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Quoting txhoustongal

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My question is...in Texas....what sort of a sentence is usually associated with a robbery with bodily injury? Especially given the fact that he has a clean record (not even a ticket for speeding)?

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That's going to depend upon his eventual conviction charge, which may be reduced from the initial charge. It's something he needs to discuss with his lawyer.

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Quoting txhoustongal

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Also....how does the guards claim of my friend punching him in the arm constitute a robbery with bodily injury?

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Presumably the guard reported that he was injured.

Yeah... I, too, am going to have to throw the BS flag on the beating aspect.

That being said, your friend needs an attorney... yesterday.