{"id":582,"date":"2023-12-26T08:00:56","date_gmt":"2023-12-26T15:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/"},"modified":"2024-09-17T18:20:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-18T01:20:06","slug":"armed-robbery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/criminal-defense-law\/blog\/armed-robbery\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona\u2019s Armed Robbery Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/h2>\n

Armed robbery charges come with serious penalties. In Arizona, armed robbery is taking someone\u2019s possessions by using a deadly weapon such as a gun or a knife. Everyday household items, like a baseball bat or a brick, can also be considered weapons when used in a robbery. However, robberies committed with a gun are usually punished more severely than other weapons\u2014this is due to the fact that guns have a higher likelihood of injury or death compared to other weapons.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to<\/span> ARS 13-1904<\/span><\/a>, a person commits armed robbery if they\u2019re armed with, use, or threaten to use a deadly weapon or simulated weapons in the act of stealing from someone else. This can include objects like toy guns, a plastic knife, or even just a hand in the pocket. Although these are not deadly weapons in the traditional sense, they trick the victim into thinking the perpetrator has one.<\/span><\/p>\n

Armed robbery in Arizona is a serious charge. Understanding what constitutes armed robbery is an essential first step for building a defense against charges.<\/span><\/p>\n

What Is Armed Robbery in Arizona?<\/h2>\n

Armed robbery, meaning theft by force with a deadly weapon, is a class 2 felony in Arizona with a typical sentence of 4-10 years in prison. A person commits armed robbery by:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Taking another person\u2019s property by force<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. That force involves a deadly weapon<\/span> or a simulated deadly weapon<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Using or threatening to use a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Taking possession of or attempting to take possession of a deadly weapon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    It\u2019s important to note that the defendant does not necessarily have to use the weapon to be charged with armed robbery. Examples of armed robbery can include taking someone\u2019s wallet while holding a weapon, threatening a clerk with a gun to steal from a store, or stealing a purse while carrying a concealed gun.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Difference between Robbery and Armed Robbery?<\/h2>\n

    Armed robbery is among the most serious of theft crimes. Somebody commits ordinary <\/span>robbery<\/span> when they use violence or the threat of violence to take property from another person. In a standard robbery charge, the perpetrator may use their hands to assault a person they steal from, but they do not use any physical objects or weapons.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The state elevates a robbery charge to armed robbery<\/a> when the person uses or simulates a weapon to commit the act. Conventionally, we think of a weapon as only a gun or a knife. However, a deadly weapon can be considered anything that can kill someone or cause substantial bodily harm.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Other examples of weapons can include:<\/span><\/p>\n