Robbery is a serious crime that carries hefty penalties. In Tennessee, robbery becomes aggravated robbery when an individual commits a robbery with aggravating factors. These factors elevate the offense to a more serious one.
Robbery
Tennessee defines robbery as the act of taking someone’s property by force or a threatening force, which is illegal.
Aggravated Robbery
Aggravated robbery is robbery plus one or more additional elements. Committing one or more of these factors during a robbery elevates the crime to aggravated robbery under Tennessee law.
- Displays or uses a deadly weapon
- Inflicts serious bodily injury to another person
- Acts with accomplices present, or
- Takes property from an individual person.
It is important to note that the individual committing the robbery does not need to use the weapon against the other person for the theft to become an aggravated robbery. Displaying the weapon is enough.
Penalties and sentencing
Robbery convictions are punishable by:
- Imprisonment from three to fifteen years
- Fines up to $10,000
Aggravated robbery is punishable by:
- Imprisonment from eight to thirty years
- Potential fines of up to $25,000
Using firearms or other deadly weapons during an aggravated robbery can cause even harsher penalties. The more serious the conduct, the more serious the crime and penalties associated with it.
Understanding the differences between the two crimes is essential. Both offenses involve theft and the use of force or a threat, but added factors can make it a more severe crime with harsher penalties.
