Bank Robbery Lawyer in Fort Myers

Federal & State Defense for Fort Myers & Lee County

A bank robbery accusation moves fast. Federal agents may already be involved, charges may span multiple statutes, and the decisions made in the first hours after an arrest can shape the entire case. At Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law, we provide criminal defense representation for individuals facing bank robbery allegations in Fort Myers and throughout Lee County. With more than 40 years of combined legal experience, we’re prepared to stand with you from the first conversation through every stage of the process.

Bank robbery cases carry severe consequences, but you don’t have to face them without counsel who understands both the federal and state court systems. Our goal is to be a steadying presence in what is likely one of the most difficult moments of your life.

If you or someone you care about is under investigation or has been arrested for bank robbery in Fort Myers, call us now at (800) 614-5138. The earlier we get involved, the more we can do to protect your rights.

How Federal Law Defines Bank Robbery

Most bank robbery prosecutions are federal. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2113, federal bank robbery is defined as taking or attempting to take, by force, violence, or intimidation, money or property belonging to a bank, credit union, or savings and loan institution whose deposits are federally insured. Because nearly every major financial institution carries FDIC insurance, allegations involving these institutions typically land in federal court rather than state court.

The penalties under this statute vary based on what prosecutors can prove:

• Bank robbery or entering with intent to commit a felony or larceny carries a maximum of 20 years in federal prison under subsection (a).
• Armed bank robbery or conduct that endangers a life with a dangerous weapon raises the maximum to 25 years under subsection (d).
• Taking bank property without force (bank larceny) carries up to 10 years if the value exceeds $1,000, or up to one year if $1,000 or less, under subsection (b).

State Charges & Which Court Hears Fort Myers Cases

Florida doesn’t have a separate bank robbery statute. When a robbery allegation is prosecuted at the state level, it falls under Florida Statute § 812.13, the general robbery law. Robbery committed with a firearm or other deadly weapon is a first-degree felony punishable by up to life in prison. Robbery without a weapon is a second-degree felony.

Bank robbery cases arising in Fort Myers and Lee County are heard in the Fort Myers Division of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, which also covers Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, and Hendry Counties. Our firm is admitted to practice in that court. Whether your case is moving through the state system or the federal docket, we can represent you in both.

Why Our Credentials Matter for a Case Like This

Not every criminal defense attorney is positioned to handle a federal bank robbery case. These prosecutions are complex, evidence-intensive, and often investigated by the FBI before a single charge is filed. Our firm brings credentials that matter in exactly this kind of case.

Board Certification & Former-Prosecutor Insight

Co-founder Katheryn Calvo is Board Certified in Criminal Trial Law by the Florida Bar. This certification is held by a small percentage of Florida lawyers, and she is the only female attorney in Lee County to hold it. Board Certification is the Florida Bar’s formal recognition of demonstrated competence in a specific area of law, and in criminal trial work, that distinction carries real weight.

Our attorneys also include former prosecutors who understand from the inside how the government investigates and builds a case. That perspective shapes how we approach every defense we develop. We’re not guessing at what the prosecution may argue. We know their methods, and we know where to look for weaknesses.

Local Court Familiarity & Bilingual Communication

Our team has deep familiarity with the Fort Myers and Lee County legal landscape, including the local prosecutors and judges who handle serious felonies. For clients who are more comfortable communicating in Spanish, a key attorney on our team is fluent in both English and Spanish. Clear communication is part of the representation we provide.

Our Approach to Bank Robbery Defense

Our former-prosecutor background gives us a map of how a bank robbery case is built. We use that map to investigate from the defense side: identifying gaps in the evidence, questioning witness identifications, examining whether law enforcement followed proper procedures in gathering evidence, and assessing whether the institution involved qualifies under the statutory definition of a covered financial institution. Every element the prosecution must prove is a potential point of challenge.

Over the course of our firm’s history, we’ve helped clients get felony charges reduced to misdemeanors and worked to have records expunged or sealed where the law permits. We present this as firm experience, not as a promise about your specific case. What we can promise is that we’ll examine every available avenue and keep you informed at every turn.

We also work with clients who aren’t physically in Florida. If you’re located out of state or internationally and need representation for a case in Fort Myers, distance doesn’t prevent us from providing focused, personal attention to your situation.

Speak with a Bank Robbery Defense Attorney Today

Time matters in a case like this. Statements made before legal counsel is involved can become evidence. Early representation gives us the opportunity to be present at the detention hearing, where the court determines whether you’ll be released pending trial, and to begin investigating before evidence becomes harder to challenge. We answer questions promptly, and we’re ready to talk with you now.

Call Calvo & Calvo, Attorneys at Law at (800) 614-5138 to speak with a Fort Myers bank robbery defense attorney. We’re ready to listen, and we can help.