MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What charge is appropriate for a robbery where the suspect implies they have a weapon?

1. Unarmed robbery.

2. Phishing.

3. Armed robbery.

4. Attempted robbery.

The correct answer is: Armed robbery.

In a scenario where a suspect implies they have a weapon during the commission of a robbery, the appropriate charge is armed robbery. This is because armed robbery encompasses not only the actual use of a weapon but also the threat or implication that a weapon is present. The law recognizes that the victim's fear for their safety due to the suggestion of a weapon significantly elevates the severity of the crime compared to a non-threatening theft. In contrast, unarmed robbery would apply in situations where no weapon, implied or otherwise, is involved. Phishing is unrelated, as it refers to online scams where personal information is deceitfully obtained, and attempted robbery pertains to cases where there is a clear intention to commit robbery but it is interrupted or unsuccessful before the crime can be completed. Thus, the implication of a weapon leads to the classification of the crime as armed robbery, reflecting the seriousness of the threat posed to the victim.