15.4 ROBBERY BY SUDDEN SNATCHING
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.
- Instruction
- 15.4
- Statute
- § 812.131, Fla. Stat.
- Edition
- Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026
- Official source
- The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Elements
Quoted word for word from the official text. Florida Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases, complete set published by The Florida Bar, updated October 9, 2026.
To prove the crime of Robbery by Sudden Snatching, the State must prove the following four elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
1. (Defendant) took the (money or property described in charge) from the person of (person alleged).
2. The property taken was of some value.
3. The taking was with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive (victim) or the owner of [his] [her] right to the property.
4. In the course of the taking, (victim) was or became aware of the taking.
Further findings
Special findings, enhancements, inferences and exceptions the instruction gives when they apply, word for word.
Higher degree of Robbery by Sudden Snatching. Give if applicable.
If you find the defendant guilty of the crime of Robbery by Sudden Snatching, you must further determine beyond a reasonable doubt if in the course of committing the Robbery by Sudden Snatching, the defendant carried a firearm or other deadly weapon. An act is in the course of committing a Robbery by Sudden Snatching if it occurs in an attempt to commit Robbery by Sudden Snatching or in fleeing after the attempt or commission.
With a firearm.
If you find that the defendant carried a firearm in the course of committing the Robbery by Sudden Snatching, you should find [him] [her] guilty of Robbery by Sudden Snatching with a firearm.
With a deadly weapon.
If you find that the defendant carried a (deadly weapon described in charge) in the course of committing the Robbery by Sudden Snatching, and that the (deadly weapon described in charge) was a deadly weapon, you should find [him] [her] guilty of Robbery by Sudden Snatching with a deadly weapon.
With no firearm or deadly weapon.
If you find that the defendant carried no firearm or deadly weapon in the course of committing the Robbery by Sudden Snatching, but did commit the Robbery by Sudden Snatching, you should find [him] [her] guilty only of Robbery by Sudden Snatching.
Lesser-included offenses
As the instruction lists them, word for word.
*ROBBERY BY SUDDEN SNATCHING — 812.131
| CATEGORY ONE | CATEGORY TWO | FLA. STAT. | INS. NO |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petit theft – second degree | 812.014(3)(a) | 14.1 | |
| Attempt | 777.04(1) | 5.1 | |
| Grand theft | 812.014(2)(c) | 14.1 | |
| Petit theft – first degree | 812.014(2)(e) | 14.1 | |
| Battery | 784.03 | 8.3 | |
| Assault | 84.011 | 8.1 | |
| Resisting a merchant | 812.015(6) |
Related practice page
Robbery and Carjacking Defense in Miami
Official source: The Florida Bar: criminal jury instructions
Official jury instruction text reproduced for information. It is not legal advice; the instruction given in a case depends on the facts and the court.