ROBBERY BY SUDDEN SNATCHING
By Florida Statute 812.131, Robbery by Sudden Snatching means:
“means the taking of money or other property from the victim’s person, with intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the victim or the owner of the money or other property, when, in the course of the taking, the victim was or became aware of the taking.”
A key difference between this and Robbery (link) is that the victim becomes aware of the taking.
In order to satisfy this definition, it is not necessary to show that:
(a) The offender used any amount of force beyond that effort necessary to obtain possession of the money or other property; or
(b) There was any resistance offered by the victim to the offender or that there was injury to the victim’s person.
PENALTIES
2nd degree:
If in the course of committing the robbery by sudden snatching, the offender carried a firearm or other deadly weapon, the crime is a felony of the second degree.
3rd degree:
If in the course of committing the robbery by sudden snatching, the offender carried no firearm, deadly weapon, or other weapon, it is a felony of the third degree.
Up to 5 years in prison; or
5 years of probation; and
$5,000 fine
DEFENSES
Different defenses are available depending on the facts of the case, however, not every case will have a defense. The defenses can be legal or factual in nature such as:
Misidentification;
Self-defense;
Lawfully owned the item
Robbery by Sudden Snatching is taken very serious by prosecutors because essentially the victim was present from the crime and can be traumatized. Do not confuse Robbery by Sudden Snatching with Robbery as the two have different meaning and penalties. Make sure you hire a criminal defense firm that knows the consequences and has the experience to put you in the best position.
