Armed robbery is a robbery that involves the use of an offensive weapon. Many would-be robbers who try to commit robbery using a toy gun that looks like a real one have been very surprised to find that they are being charged with armed robbery. A toy gun or anything else that looks like a real gun can bring on a charge of armed robbery. Some unlucky people have been arrested for armed robbery simply for having their hand in their pocket. Armed robbery, be it with a real or a fake gun, is punishable either by the death penalty, or life in prison. The least amount of time served for armed robbery is ten years with no possibility of early release. If by chance a person has taken a controlled substance, the minimum sentence is fifteen years. Most states in America go by these laws for armed robbery.