ILEA Criminal Law Practice Exam – Complete Prep Resource

Robbery is defined as the unlawful taking of property from a person or immediate presence of another by means of force or intimidation. The key requirement for robbery to occur is the use or threat of force. This distinguishes robbery from other types of theft, such as larceny, which may involve taking property without the owner’s consent but does not involve any form of violence or intimidation.

In cases of robbery, the presence of force or the threat thereof is what makes the act particularly serious and dangerous. It not only involves the taking of property but also puts the victim in fear for their safety, which is why this element is essential to the definition of robbery. The violent aspect is what elevates the crime and brings about harsher penalties under criminal law.

When considering the other options, simply stealing without force does not constitute robbery, and neither does seeking permission to take property, which negates the unlawful aspect entirely. Clear intent to return the property is irrelevant because robbery involves taking property with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of it in the first place, making the victim's consent or the possibility of return moot in this context.