Robbery: penalties in each state
Taking property from a person by force or by threatening force. Armed robbery and robbery causing injury are usually more serious degrees.
What to look for: Most states have degrees, and the most serious (armed) degree can carry many times the basic term.
These are statutory ranges for a first offence, from the least to the most the law allows. A court decides the actual sentence in each case. Not legal advice.
9 states covered so far
Arizona
1 to 3.75 years (robbery) up to 3 to 12.5 years (armed robbery)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery (Class 4 felony)
- Least
- 1 year
- Most
- 3.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 2.5 years, between 1.5 and 3 years; 1 year if mitigated and 3.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Aggravated robbery (Class 3 felony)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 8.75 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 3.5 years, between 2.5 and 7 years; 2 years if mitigated and 8.75 years if aggravated (§ 13-702).
Armed robbery (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 12.5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $150,000
A first offence: usual term 5 years, between 4 and 10 years; 3 years if the court finds mitigating factors and 12.5 years if it finds aggravating factors (§ 13-702). If it is a dangerous offence, the range is 7 to 21 years (§ 13-704).
California
2 to 5 years (second degree) up to 3 to 9 years (first degree)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery in the second degree (Felony)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 5 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000, where the offence sets no fine (§ 672)
Three possible terms set by the statute: 2, 3 or 5. The court chooses among them.
Robbery in the first degree (Felony)
- Least
- 3 years
- Most
- 9 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000, where the offence sets no fine (§ 672)
3, 4 or 6 years in most first-degree cases. If the defendant acted in concert with two or more others inside an inhabited dwelling or similar place, it is 3, 6 or 9 years.
Florida
Up to 15 years (unarmed) up to life (armed)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery with no weapon (Felony of the second degree)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 15 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
Robbery with a weapon (Felony of the first degree)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 30 years (up to life where the statute says so)
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
Where the offender carried a weapon (not a firearm or deadly weapon), a first-degree felony.
Robbery with a firearm or other deadly weapon (Felony of the first degree)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- A term of years up to life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
A first-degree felony punishable by a term of years up to life.
Iowa
Up to 10 years (second degree) to up to 25 years (first degree)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery in the second degree (Class C felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 10 years
- Fine
- Fine of $1,370 to $13,660
A robbery that is not first degree. Parole is not possible until between one-half and seven-tenths of the term is served (§ 902.12).
Robbery in the first degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 25 years
Committed by purposely inflicting or attempting to inflict serious injury, or by being armed with a dangerous weapon. Parole is not possible until between one-half and seven-tenths of the term is served (§ 902.12).
Maryland
Up to 15 years (robbery) up to 20 years (robbery with a dangerous weapon)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery (Felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 15 years
Robbery with a dangerous weapon (Felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 20 years
New York
2 to 7 years (third degree) up to 5 to 25 years (first degree)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery in the third degree (Class D violent felony)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 7 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to the higher of $5,000 or double the gain from the crime (§ 80.00)
Robbery in the second degree (Class C violent felony)
- Least
- 3.5 years
- Most
- 15 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to the higher of $5,000 or double the gain from the crime (§ 80.00)
Robbery in the first degree (Class B violent felony)
- Least
- 5 years
- Most
- 25 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to the higher of $5,000 or double the gain from the crime (§ 80.00)
For example, where the robber causes serious injury, is armed with a deadly weapon, or displays what appears to be a firearm.
Texas
2 to 20 years (robbery) up to 5 to 99 years, or life (aggravated robbery)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery (Felony of the second degree)
- Least
- 2 years
- Most
- 20 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
Aggravated robbery (Felony of the first degree)
- Least
- 5 years
- Most
- 99 years, or life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $10,000
Virginia
1 to 5 years (threat only) up to 20 years to life (serious injury or death)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery by threat or intimidation, with no deadly weapon (Class 6 felony)
- Least
- 1 year in prison, or no prison term if the court chooses jail instead
- Most
- 5 years, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500
Robbery by physical force, or by displaying a deadly weapon other than a firearm (Class 5 felony)
- Least
- 1 year in prison, or no prison term if the court chooses jail instead
- Most
- 10 years, or up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500
Robbery by using or displaying a firearm (Class 3 felony)
- Least
- 5 years
- Most
- 20 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $100,000
Robbery causing serious bodily injury or death (Class 2 felony)
- Least
- 20 years
- Most
- Life
- Fine
- Fine of up to $100,000
Virginia grades robbery by the means used, not by degrees.
Washington
Up to 10 years (second degree) up to life (first degree)
Show the degrees and the statutes
Robbery in the second degree (Class B felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Up to 10 years
- Fine
- Fine of up to $20,000
Robbery in the first degree (Class A felony)
- Least
- No minimum term set by the statute
- Most
- Life imprisonment
- Fine
- Fine of up to $50,000
Other states are being added. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
