# Violent robbery in Georgia — Article 179 Violent robbery under Article 179 is an attack to unlawfully take someone else's movable property, committed with violence dangerous to life or health or the threat of such violence. It is one of the most serious property crimes. - Confidential - Georgian · English · Russian - Free first consultation - Courts of all instances ## What is the penalty WhenPenaltyBasic offenceImprisonment from 5 to 7 yearsBreaking into premises or storage; as a group; against a vehicleImprisonment from 6 to 9 yearsRepeatedly; by breaking into a home; to take property on a large scaleImprisonment from 8 to 12 yearsBy an organised group; by a person convicted twice or moreImprisonment from 11 to 15 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 violence or threat was really dangerous — if not, the charge may be reduced to robbery - The purpose of the attack — was it to take property - The forensic medical report - Reliability of identification 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 violent robbery? For the basic offence — 5 to 7 years in prison; with aggravating circumstances — up to 15 years. ### Can the charge be reduced to robbery? Yes, if it is established that the violence or threat was not dangerous to life or health. That is why this question is central to the defence. ### Can a fine be imposed? No. Every part of Article 179 provides only for imprisonment. ## 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/) - - [Robbery (open theft) — Article 178](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/robbery-article-178/) - - [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. - [Robbery (open theft)](https://mmlaw.ge/en/crimes/robbery-article-178/) — Article 178 Openly taking someone else's property. Penalties range from a fine to 11 years, depending on the damage, violence and other factors. - [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/violent-robbery-article-179/ · MMLAW · +995 551 00 43 00 · info@mmlaw.ge