Robbery
Violent theft by force or fear, always a felony.
Robbery is a criminal offense involving the taking or attempted taking of anything of value by force, threat of force, or use of fear. Under common law, it is defined as taking the property of another with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, accomplished by means of force or fear, making it a larceny or theft combined with assault. Robbery is distinguished from other thefts by its inherently violent nature and is typically classified as a felony, with precise definitions varying by jurisdiction.
- field
- Criminal law
- known_for
- Violent theft offense involving force or fear
- legal_classification
- Felony (in jurisdictions distinguishing felonies from misdemeanors)
- maximum_penalty_example
- Life imprisonment (Canada, England and Wales)
Lore & Background
The word 'rob' derives via French from Late Latin words of Germanic origin, from Common Germanic 'raub' meaning 'theft'. Types of robbery include armed robbery (use of a weapon), aggravated robbery (use of a deadly weapon or appearance thereof), highway robbery or mugging (in public places), and carjacking (stealing a car by force). Criminal slang includes 'blagging' (armed bank robbery), 'stickup' (from the command 'Stick ’em up!'), and 'steaming' (organized robbery, originally of trains).
Reader's Guide
Robbery is a significant offense in criminal law due to its violent nature and severe penalties. In Canada, it is an indictable offence with a maximum of life imprisonment, and mandatory minimums for firearm use. Case law, such as R v Robinson and R v Hale, clarifies that force must be contemporaneous with theft, and that appropriation can be a continuing act. Sentencing guidelines categorize robbery by harm and culpability, with custodial sentences typical, ranging from one year for low-harm street robbery to up to 20 years for high-harm, high-culpability professionally planned robbery. The offense is indictable-only and carries a maximum of life imprisonment.
Did You Know?
- Robbery is the only offence of aggravated theft under English law.
- The word 'rob' comes from Common Germanic 'raub' meaning 'theft'.
- In Canada, using a restricted or prohibited firearm during robbery carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years for a first offence.
- Under English law, force used after the theft is complete does not turn the theft into robbery.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is robbery as a legal concept?
Robbery is a criminal offense in which a person takes or attempts to take something of value from another by using force, threatening force, or instilling fear. It sits within criminal law and is fundamentally a violent form of theft rather than a simple property crime.
How does robbery differ from ordinary theft or larceny?
The key distinction is the element of violence or intimidation: robbery requires that the taking be accomplished through force or the threat of fear, effectively combining a larceny with an assault. Plain theft, by contrast, involves no such coercive element.
Is robbery always classified as a felony?
Yes, in jurisdictions that draw a line between felonies and misdemeanors, robbery is consistently treated as a felony because of its inherently violent character. The precise statutory definition and sentencing range can shift from one jurisdiction to another.
What is the maximum penalty someone can face for robbery?
In several common-law jurisdictions, including Canada and England and Wales, the top sentence for robbery can reach life imprisonment. The exact ceiling depends on the governing law of the specific jurisdiction.
What elements must be present for a robbery charge to stick?
A prosecutor must show that property of value was taken (or an attempt was made) with the intent to permanently deprive the owner, and that the taking was carried out by force or by creating fear in the victim. Without the force-or-fear component, the offense typically drops to a lesser theft charge.
More in Society And Culture 1-23
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record