# 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. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances ## What is the penalty WhenPenaltyBasic offenceA fine, house arrest from 6 months to 2 years, or imprisonment from 3 to 5 yearsSignificant damage (over GEL 150) or breaking into premises or storageImprisonment from 4 to 6 yearsBy 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 vehicleImprisonment from 5 to 8 yearsBy an organised group; on a large scale (over GEL 10,000); by a person convicted twice or moreImprisonment 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 - [Criminal Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/16426) - [Criminal Procedure Code of Georgia](https://matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/90034) Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge. Related practice area: [Property crimes](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) ## Related topics - [#Criminal law](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) - [#Your rights](https://mmlaw.ge/en/blog/what-to-do-if-detained/) - [#Property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/real-estate-lawyer/) - - [Property crime lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/property-crime-lawyer/) - - [Theft — Article 177](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/theft-article-177/) - - [Violent robbery — Article 179](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/violent-robbery-article-179/) - - [Extortion — Article 181](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/extortion-article-181/) - - [Embezzlement — Article 182](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/embezzlement-article-182/) - - [Damage to property — Article 187](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/property-damage-article-187/) - - [Asset freezing and confiscation lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/asset-freezing-and-confiscation/) - - [Criminal defence lawyer](https://mmlaw.ge/en/criminal-defense-lawyer/) Criminal law ## Crimes and penalties - [Theft](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/theft-article-177/) — Article 177 Secretly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 10 years, depending on the damage and circumstances. - [Violent robbery](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/violent-robbery-article-179/) — Article 179 An attack to take property, with violence dangerous to life or health or the threat of it. Penalty: 5 to 15 years. - [Extortion](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/extortion-article-181/) — Article 181 Demanding money or property under threat of violence, damage or spreading compromising information. Up to 9 years. - [Embezzlement](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/embezzlement-article-182/) — Article 182 Unlawfully keeping or spending property or money you were entrusted with — often at work. Up to 11 years. - [Damage to property](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/property-damage-article-187/) — Article 187 Damaging or destroying someone else's property causing significant damage. Penalties from a fine to 12 years. - [Bodily harm](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/bodily-harm/) — Article 117, 118, 120 Intentional minor, less serious and serious bodily harm — penalties from a fine to 14 years. - [Hooliganism](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/hooliganism-article-239/) — Article 239 A gross breach of public order with violence or the threat of violence. Penalties from a fine to 7 years. --- Source: https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/robbery-article-178/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge