FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2009
Contact:  Erin Marsicano
(717) 787-3817
Back

Waugh's Bank Robbery Legislation Clears House Judiciary Committee

HARRISBURG – Sen. Mike Waugh's (R-York) Senate Bill 605 gained unanimous support of the House Judiciary Committee today.  The legislation would establish robbery of a financial institution as a second degree felony, regardless of the method used to commit the robbery.

"There is great concern with the lack of uniformity of sentences for robbery of a financial institution," said Waugh.  "Considering our current law does not specifically define and classify such robberies, it has been left to the courts to make the determination on a case-by-case basis."

SB 605 amends Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, which contains sections pertaining to "robbery" and "robbery of a motor vehicle."  Up to this point bank robberies have been categorized simply as "robbery," and if no bodily harm was done but property was taken they have been classified as third degree felonies.

Waugh's legislation now addresses the specific action of taking or removing money of a financial institution, and classifies such a robbery as a felony of the second degree.

SB 605 also includes language that addresses the use of notes and verbal threats to carry out bank robberies and provides the tools needed to prosecute offenders, regardless of the method used by robbers.

"Often individuals use notes and verbal threats to commit bank robberies thinking their crime will be considered less severe without a weapon," said Waugh.  "But it is my hope these changes would serve as a deterrent for bank robberies in general, seeing as all such acts would be considered second degree felonies."

SB 605 now proceeds to the full House for consideration.