Robbery

Also known as theft or larceny, robbery is the taking of someone's property or money by way of force. This force can include physical force or threat of physical force, as well as using any other methods to instill fear in a victim in order to get what you want.

Perhaps you have seen movies where a person walks into their house or apartment and discovers it completely ransacked, with drawers pulled out and papers scattered everywhere. However, estimates show that only 25% of robberies occur in homes, banks, and other establishments. The other 75% of thefts are against a person, such as someone forcing you to hand over your wallet while at gunpoint.

Burglary vs. Robbery

Some people may not realize that burglary and robbery are not synonymous in legal terms. In the example above, with someone finding out that their property has been searched through, the perpetrator committed burglary, not robbery. Although both involve stealing, or at least attempting to steal, robbery almost always has a victim present and threatened by force. Burglaries tend to occur when a victim is not home.

Types of Robbery

Most states define different “levels” of robbery based on the level of violence involved. Depending on the weapon used in the robbery, some states can charge a person with aggravated or armed robbery. While robbery usually involves a weapon, it is possible for someone to be tricked into thinking they are being threatened. For instance, a person may hold a lipstick container against someone's neck to make the victim think that the robber is holding a gun.

Also, the courts may also take into account whether or not the victim actually suffered an injury during the robbery.

Contact Us

For more information regarding robberies and other crimes that may land you in jail, contact Austin jail release lawyer Ian Inglis today at 512-472-1950.