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 Tennessee, robbery is defined under Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 39-13-401 as the intentional or knowing theft of property from the person of another by violence or putting the person in fear. This is considered a Class C felony, which can result in 3 to 15 years of imprisonment and fines. Aggravated robbery, as per T.C.A. § 39-13-402, occurs when a robbery is accompanied by the use of a deadly weapon or by the display of an article leading the victim to reasonably believe it to be a deadly weapon, or where the victim suffers serious bodily injury. Aggravated robbery is classified as a Class B felony, punishable by 8 to 30 years of imprisonment and potential fines. The most serious form, especially aggravated robbery, is defined in T.C.A. § 39-13-403, where the robbery involves the use of a deadly weapon and results in serious bodily injury to the victim. This is a Class A felony, with a punishment range of 15 to 60 years of imprisonment and fines. These statutes reflect the state's approach to addressing the severity of robbery offenses, with increased penalties for the involvement of weapons and injury.