Robbery by Sudden Snatching
Taking money or property from a victim's person when the victim was or became aware of the taking.
Florida Statute
§ 812.131
Robbery by sudden snatching
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 13, 2026
Quick Summary
This offense does not require force beyond that needed to take possession, victim resistance, or injury. Carrying a firearm or other deadly weapon raises the degree.
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
No Firearm or Deadly Weapon
F.S. § 812.131(2)(b)
Robbery by sudden snatching committed while the offender carried no firearm or other deadly weapon.
With Firearm or Deadly Weapon
F.S. § 812.131(2)(a)
Robbery by sudden snatching committed while the offender carried a firearm or other deadly weapon.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
The State must prove all of the following
The defendant took money or property from the person of the victim.
Plain language: The property was taken directly from the victim's person.
- Element 2AND — Required
The State must prove all of the following
The property taken was of some value.
Plain language: The property had some value.
- Element 3AND — Required
The State must prove all of the following
The taking was with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the victim of the right to the property or any benefit from it, or to appropriate the property to the defendant's own use or to the use of a person not entitled to it.
Plain language: The defendant intended to keep, use, or deprive the victim of the property or its benefit.
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
Instruction 15.4
Robbery by Sudden Snatching
Florida Standard Jury Instruction for F.S. § 812.131.
View Official InstructionVerified against the official instruction source: September 13, 2026
Important Definitions
Important Definitions
In the course of the taking
The act occurs in an attempt to commit the taking, during the taking, or in flight after the attempt or commission. The taking must be part of a continuous series of acts or events.
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
Confirm the taking was from the victim's person and that the victim was or became aware of it during the taking. No force beyond that needed to obtain possession, victim resistance, or injury is required.
Important Distinction
Robbery by sudden snatching is not ordinary robbery under § 812.13. Its separate statute expressly provides that additional force, resistance, and injury are not required.