In robbery, which element is necessary?

• A. Forcible stealing with intent to achieve one of listed alternatives.
• B. Only taking property without force.
• C. No intent to steal is required.
• D. Requires the victim's consent.

Answer: (A)

The essential element in robbery is a taking of property from a person (or in their immediate presence) accomplished by force or by causing fear, and done with the specific intent to steal. In other words, there must be forcible stealing plus the intent to deprive the owner of the property, not just a casual or accidental taking. The response that describes forcible stealing with the intent to take property captures both the force/ intimidation aspect and the mental state required at the time of taking. If there’s no force or fear, it’s typically theft rather than robbery; if there’s no intent to steal, the crime isn’t robbery; and consent from the victim would generally prevent a taking from being forcible robbery in the first place.