Manassas Robbery Charge

A Manassas Robbery Charge is Punished with up to Life in Prison

A Manassas robbery (Va. Code §18.2-58) is the taking of property from another person by violence or intimidation with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property.  A Manassas robbery charge is a very serious offense and is punished with 5 years up to life in prison.

Proof of Manassas Robbery Charge

To convict an offender of a Manassas robbery charge under Va. Code §18.2-58, the Commonwealth must prove:

• a taking
• of personal property
• by violence
• from a person (or his presence)
• with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of his property.

Taking: A taking occurs when an offender acquires control over property and moves it in any way.

Personal Property: The Commonwealth must prove that the offender took personal property to convict an offender of a Manassas robbery charge, and the victim does not need to be the owner of the property.

From Person or his Presence: Robbery in Manassas is committed when property is taken by force from a person or in his presence.  If a person does not have actual physical control over property, but is close enough to the property to exert control over it, it is in his presence.

Intent: The Commonwealth must prove that the offender intended to permanently deprive the owner of his property to convict him of a Manassas robbery charge.  The intent to permanently deprive must exist at the time of the taking AND at the time of the violence.

Violence: The violence must have occurred prior to or at the same time as the taking to convict an offender of a Manassas robbery charge.  This element is met if the Commonwealth can prove either force, threats, violence, or intimidation.  Violence includes physical acts of violence, putting a person in fear of serious bodily harm, or presenting or threatening the victim with a firearm or other deadly weapon.  Intimidation means putting someone in fear of reasonable apprehension of harm.

Penalty for Manassas Robbery Charge

A Manassas robbery charge is punished with 5 years up to life in prison (Va. Code §18.2-58).  The use of a firearm in the commission of a robbery is a separate felony offense under Va. Code §18.2-53.1.  A first offense is punished with a mandatory minimum of three years in prison.  A second offense is punished with a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison.  An offender can be convicted of both robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in Manassas and the sentences will be consecutive.  Click here for more information on a Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony charge in Virginia.

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