Robbery in Georgia — Article 178: penalties
Robbery under Article 178 is openly taking someone else's movable property in order to unlawfully keep it. Unlike theft, the owner or others see and realise what is happening.
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What is the penalty
| When | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Basic offence | A fine, house arrest from 6 months to 2 years, or imprisonment from 3 to 5 years |
| Significant damage (over GEL 150) or breaking into premises or storage | Imprisonment from 4 to 6 years |
| By a group by prior agreement; repeatedly; by breaking into a home; with violence not dangerous to life or health, or the threat of it; against a vehicle | Imprisonment from 5 to 8 years |
| By an organised group; on a large scale (over GEL 10,000); by a person convicted twice or more | Imprisonment from 7 to 11 years |
Penalties follow the current text of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In a specific case the outcome depends on the circumstances, compensation of damage, a plea agreement and other factors.
What matters for the defence
- Whether the taking was really open — or is it theft
- Whether there was violence and how dangerous it was — this separates robbery from violent robbery
- Valuation of the property
- Reliability of identification, video and witness statements
If you are accused or arrested
- Use your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer — from the first contact with the investigating authority
- Don't sign any document you don't understand
- You must be charged within 48 hours of arrest, and within the next 24 hours a court decides on a preventive measure
- Decide on compensating the damage or settling with the victim together with your lawyer
If you are a victim
- Call 112 or go to the police or the prosecutor's office
- Keep the evidence: photos, video, messages, receipts, witnesses' contacts
- Ask for victim status — it gives you rights in the case, for example to be informed about its progress
- You can claim compensation for the damage — a lawyer will help
Questions & answers
What is the penalty for robbery in Georgia?
For the basic offence — a fine, house arrest or 3 to 5 years in prison. With aggravating circumstances — up to 11 years.
How is it different from violent robbery?
In robbery any violence used is not dangerous to life or health. If the violence is dangerous, or such violence is threatened, it is violent robbery under Article 179.
Is snatching a phone from someone's hand robbery?
Often yes, because the taking is open. The exact assessment depends on the facts.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Related practice area: Property crimes
Crimes and penalties
Theft
Article 177Secretly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 10 years, depending on the damage and circumstances.Violent robbery
Article 179An attack to take property, with violence dangerous to life or health or the threat of it. Penalty: 5 to 15 years.Extortion
Article 181Demanding money or property under threat of violence, damage or spreading compromising information. Up to 9 years.Embezzlement
Article 182Unlawfully keeping or spending property or money you were entrusted with — often at work. Up to 11 years.Damage to property
Article 187Damaging or destroying someone else's property causing significant damage. Penalties from a fine to 12 years.Bodily harm
Article 117, 118, 120Intentional minor, less serious and serious bodily harm — penalties from a fine to 14 years.Hooliganism
Article 239A gross breach of public order with violence or the threat of violence. Penalties from a fine to 7 years.Need legal advice? Talk to an attorney today.
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