Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Practice Exam 2026 - Free TCOLE Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct answer is that the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon can elevate a robbery charge to aggravated robbery. This distinction is crucial within the legal framework because it signifies an increase in the level of threat and potential harm to the victim. The presence of a deadly weapon not only heightens the danger of the situation but also reflects a more serious criminal intent. Aggravated robbery, as defined in Texas law, incorporates elements that place the victim in greater peril, and a deadly weapon is a clear indicator of such a circumstance.

While other factors like the involvement of multiple suspects or a victim's injury can certainly increase the severity of a crime or lead to additional charges, they do not meet the specific legal criteria for elevating a robbery charge to aggravated robbery in the way that the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon does. A motor vehicle's use may facilitate the crime, but it does not inherently escalate the offense in terms of the immediate threat posed to the victim.