The bill amends the Arkansas Code concerning the offenses of robbery and aggravated robbery. Specifically, it revises the definition of robbery in Arkansas Code 5-12-102(a) to clarify the circumstances under which a person commits robbery. The new language specifies that a person commits robbery if they employ or threaten to employ physical force, or create a circumstance that would cause a reasonable person to believe that the use of physical force is imminent, in the context of committing or resisting apprehension for theft.

This amendment aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding robbery by providing clearer criteria for what constitutes the offense, thereby potentially aiding law enforcement and the judicial system in addressing such crimes more effectively. The changes reflect a focus on the perception of imminent physical force, which may help in prosecuting cases where the threat of violence is present, even if physical force has not yet been employed.

Statutes affected:
SB 512: 5-12-102(a)
Act 758: 5-12-102(a)