5.2: Robbery
- Page ID
- 69918
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Robbery is the felonious taking of personal property in the possession of another, from his person or immediate presence, and against his will, accomplished by means of force or fear. It is defined in section 211 of the California Penal Code.36
Robbery was the first common-law theft crime. The criminalization of robbery was a natural progression from other common-law crimes against the person because robbery always involves force, violence, or threat and could pose a risk of injury or death to the robbery victim, defendant, or other innocent bystanders. Robbery is generally a serious felony that is included in most felony murder statutes as a predicate felony for first-degree felony murder. When robbery does not result in death, it is typically graded more severely than theft under a consolidated theft statute.
Robbery Act
The criminal act element required for robbery is a taking of personal property by force or threat of force (Ind. Code § 35-42-5-1, 2011). Force is generally physical force. The force can be slight, but it must be more than what is required to gain control over and move the property (S.W. v. State, 2011). Many jurisdictions require force during the taking, which includes the use of force to prevent the victim from reclaiming the property, or during escape (State v. Handburgh, 2011).
Example of Robbery Act
Rodney tells Lindsey he will kill her if she does not write him a check for fifteen thousand dollars. Rodney exemplifies his threat by pointing to a bulge in his front jacket pocket that appears to be a weapon. In this scenario, Rodney has most likely committed the criminal act element required for robbery, not extortion. Rodney’s threat is a threat of immediate force. The criminal intent element required for robbery is the same as the criminal intent element required for larceny and extortion in many jurisdictions. The defendant must have the specific intent or purposely to commit the criminal act and to deprive the victim of the property permanently (Metheny v. State, 2011). Some jurisdictions do not require the intent to permanently deprive the victim of property and include temporary takings in the robbery statute (Fla. Stat. Ann. § 812.13, 2011).37
36California Penal Code (2024)
37University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing (2015).