The criminal offense of robbery generally involves the taking of property from another person, in the presence of the other person, by violence, intimidation, or threat of imminent bodily injury or death, and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property. And in some states the crime of robbery can become the more serious crime of aggravated robbery (with increased potential punishments) if the person exhibits a deadly weapon such as a gun or knife, or causes great bodily injury or death, for example.

Robbery is a felony offense punishable by significant jail or prison time. Laws regarding robbery offenses are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Connecticut, robbery is defined under the Connecticut General Statutes Section 53a-133 as the forcible stealing of property, which involves taking property from another person by using or threatening the immediate use of physical force upon that person with the intent to compel the person to deliver up the property or to prevent the person from resisting the taking. The crime becomes aggravated robbery, known as robbery in the first degree, under Section 53a-134 when it involves the use of a deadly weapon, the intent to cause serious physical injury, or the robbery of a designated victim such as a bank employee or a pharmacy. Robbery in the first degree is a Class B felony, which can result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years. Lesser degrees of robbery, such as robbery in the second degree (Section 53a-135) and robbery in the third degree (Section 53a-136), involve lower levels of threat or force and carry correspondingly lesser penalties. Robbery in the second degree is a Class C felony, and robbery in the third degree is a Class D felony. The specific circumstances of the robbery, such as the use of a weapon or the infliction of injury, will determine the degree of the charge and the potential punishment.