Robbery

Robbery

Robbery is one of the earliest and most serious felonies and was once punishable by death. Robbery is a serious, indictable offence under the Canadian CRIMINAL CODE (s302), punishable by life imprisonment. Basically robbery consists of 2 elements: the theft or extortion of property, and the use of a weapon, violence or threats of violence. In order to constitute robbery, however, rather than the separate offences of theft and assault, these elements must be linked; either the element of violence must be used for the purpose of taking the victim's property, or the 2 elements must be proximate in time. Although neither physical harm to the victim nor actual use of a weapon is essential to the crime, these factors might be considered when imposing sentences.

See also BURGLARY.