WHEN A THEFT BECOMES A ROBBERY OR AN ARMED ROBBERY

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Both Robbery and Armed Robbery are theft crimes. What sets a robbery offense apart from other theft offenses is that it involves the theft of another person's property directly from that person or in the immediate presence of that person.

 

GEORGIA ROBBERY CRIMES OCGA § 16-8-40

 

A robbery can occur by:

1. Use of force;

2. Intimidation, threat, or placing the other person in fear of immediate serious bodily injury to himself or another; or

3. By sudden snatching.

Punishment for Robbery
Punishment for Robbery can be imprisonment for 1-20 years with one exception. If the robbery is committed on someone 65 years old or older, the punishment is 5-20 years.

 

ARMED ROBBERY OCGA § 16-8-41
An Armed Robbery is a robbery committed with an offensive weapon, any replica of an offensive weapon, or a device having the appearance of any such weapon. It is actually possible to be convicted of armed robbery if you did not have a weapon. For example, if you put your hand in your pocket and cause someone to believe you have a gun, you could be convicted of Armed Robbery. 

 

Punishment for Armed Robbery

Depending upon the circumstances, punishment for Armed Robbery can be

1. Death penalty;

2. Life in prison;

3. No less than 10 nor more than 20 years in prison. Keep in mind that the minimum prison time is 10 years with no early release.

If you take a controlled substance from a druggist and cause intentional bodily injury, the minimum prison sentence is 15 years. 

See also the section on repeat offenders.