Absolutely. Robbery is one of the most serious felony charges in Rhode Island with potential sentences ranging up to life imprisonment, lifetime collateral consequences, and a permanent felony record that cannot be expunged. The procedural complexity of Superior Court practice, the seriousness of the stakes, and the experience of the felony prosecutors who handle violent crime cases all argue strongly for the most experienced defense counsel you can retain. A robbery defense lawyer reviews discovery in depth, challenges identification procedures, files pre-trial motions, retains expert witnesses when needed, and tries the case before a jury. Self-representation on a robbery charge is reckless.
