How is robbery defined in legal terms?

Robbery is primarily defined as the unlawful taking of personal property from another person using force or the threat of force. This definition underscores two crucial elements: the act must be unlawful, and it involves direct confrontation with the victim, where force or intimidation is used to obtain the property. The presence of force is what distinguishes robbery from other forms of theft, such as burglary or larceny, where the victim is not present or directly threatened. For instance, if someone steals a purse from a person while using physical force or intimidation, it constitutes robbery, as it involves the threat to personal safety alongside the theft of property.

The other definitions provided do not fully encompass the legal definition of robbery. Theft from a residence pertains more specifically to burglary, which involves entering a property with the intent to commit a crime, but it does not include the element of directly confronting a person. Similarly, acquiring property through deceptive practices refers to fraud, which lacks the immediate, forceful interaction characteristic of robbery.