Different Categories of Crime
Let's say that John celebrated his last night of singlehood with a bachelor party in Las Vegas, Nevada. While John was under the influence of alcohol, he engaged in a variety of bizarre behaviours, including some criminal acts. John was given a ticket for being far too loud in the establishment. He is curious to learn the nature of the charge that has been brought against him. Let's go over the various infractions of the law that fall under the category of criminal offences so that you can figure out what kind of crime John has committed.
There are numerous categories of infractions of criminal law. The following are some of the several types of criminal activity:
- Felony crimes
- Misdemeanor crimes
- Offenses
- Sins of High Treason and Espionage
- Inchoate Offenses
Let's take a more in-depth look at each type of criminal activity.
Crimes that Constitute Felonies
Serious offences are included in the category of felonies. People who are found guilty of committing a felony face the possibility of being sentenced to a period of imprisonment of one year or more, or possibly the death penalty in some cases. People who have been convicted of felony crimes run the risk of losing some of their rights, including the ability to vote, the right to carry a firearm, and the right to work in certain positions, such as those in the medical industry or law enforcement.
The following are examples of felonies:
- Murder
- Rape
- Arson
- Kidnapping
- Robbery
- Drug possession
- Burglary
- Aggravated assault
Misdemeanor Crimes
In comparison to felony offences, misdemeanour crimes are considered to be less severe. In most cases, the sentence for committing a misdemeanour will not exceed one year in prison at the most. In addition, if you are found guilty of committing a misdemeanour, you will not typically lose any of your rights.
Some misdemeanour offences include:
- causing a disturbance in the peace
- Theft of lesser things
- Simple assault
- a simple battery
- Passing bad cheques as good ones
Offenses
Infractions and violations are two terms that are occasionally used interchangeably with the term offence. This kind of criminal activity refers to infractions of the law that are not considered to be as serious as misdemeanour offences. As an alternative to appearing in court, the issuance of tickets and the payment of penalties is sometimes used as a method of imposing punishment for infractions.
The following are some examples of offences:
- Intoxication in public spaces
- Behavior that is not acceptable
- Infractions of traffic laws
- Littering
- Jaywalking
Sins of High Treason and Espionage
Treason and espionage make up their own distinct subcategory of criminal activity. These two offences both fall under the category of felonies. When a citizen of the United States aids a foreign government in its efforts to overthrow, wage war against, or otherwise harm the United States, this action is considered an act of treason. In addition, the act of gathering, sending, and giving information relating to the national defence to adversaries of the United States is considered to be an act of espionage. A person does not need to be a citizen of the United States to commit the crime of espionage.
Inchoate Offenses
Inchoate offences are a different type of crime that falls under the criminal umbrella. In this subcategory of criminal activity, the offences in question have not been finished. Let's have a look at an example, shall we? Imagine that Abby and Ben are planning to break into Cathy's house in order to steal some valuables. They have only recently broken into the house. Cathy has finally made it home. Abby and Ben decide to leave, thereby putting an end to their plans. Even though Abby and Ben intended to commit a burglary, they did not go through with it, so this is considered an inchoate offence.
Conclusion
Have you arrived at a conclusion regarding the nature of the criminal act that John committed? If you guessed transgressions, you are absolutely right! The actions of John did not constitute either a felony or a misdemeanour level of wrongdoing. It's possible for John to avoid going to court and pleading guilty by simply paying a fee; he can probably just mail in his payment, and then everything will be good.
Let's go through what we discovered in this lesson's review session. There are many distinct types of criminal activity. There are misdemeanours and felonies, with felonies being the most serious. This category of criminal activity encompasses acts such as homicide, enslavement, and sexual assault. On the other hand, there are misdemeanours, which are considered to be less serious offences and normally carry punishments of less than one year in jail. Disturbing the peace is an example of the type of criminal activity covered by this category.
Treason and espionage come in third, after transgressions, which are considered to be less serious legal infractions than misdemeanour crimes. Finally, there are acts of espionage and treason. Acts committed by citizens of the United States with the intention of assisting the efforts of another nation to overthrow the government of the United States, start a war against it, or do it harm are considered acts of treason. The gathering and transmission of information that is harmful to the nation's defence is an act of espionage, which can be committed by citizens of the United States as well as nationals of other countries. Incomplete crimes are known as inchoate offences, and they constitute the final type of criminal act.
Outcomes of Reading
After you have done going through the material from this session, you need to be able to do the following:
- Recall and elaborate on the several classifications of criminal activity in the United States.
- Provide a few illustrative examples each of a felony, a misdemeanour, and an infraction.
What is a criminal categorization?
Crime categories classify crimes by severity. Crimes are categorised by harm inflicted, criminal intent, and conduct. Punishments vary by category.
What five categories of criminal laws exist?
Five sorts of criminal laws are felonies, misdemeanours, offences, treason and espionage, and inchoate offences .
What are some examples of crimes?
Assault with a weapon is a felony. Misdemeanors include bad checks. Speeding is an offence. Treason and espionage are nation-threatening crimes. This includes offering another country state secrets.
What is meant by felony crimes?
Serious offences are felonies. In some cases, a criminal conviction can result in the death penalty. People convicted of felonies can lose the right to vote, carry a gun, or work in law enforcement or the medical industry. Murder, Rape, Arson, Kidnapping, Robbery, Drug Possession, Burglary, and Aggravated Assault are felonies.
What is meant by misdemeanor crimes?
Misdemeanor crimes are less serious. Misdemeanors usually carry a one-year prison sentence. Misdemeanors don't usually result in lost rights. Disturbing the peace, Petty larceny, Simple assault, Simple battery, and Bad checks are misdemeanours.
What is meant by offenses?
This category comprises less-serious crimes than misdemeanours. Instead of court appearances, offenders often receive tickets and fines. Intoxication, disorderly conduct, traffic offences, littering, and jaywalking are offences.
What is meant by Sins of High Treason and Espionage?
Treason and espionage are separate crimes. Both are felonies. When a U.S. citizen helps a foreign government overthrow, make war against, or harm the U.S., this is treason. Espionage includes gathering, distributing, and delivering national defence secrets to U.S. adversaries. Espionage doesn't require U.S. citizenship.
What is meant by Inchoate Offenses?
Inchoate crimes are also crimes. The crimes in this subcategory are unfinished. An example: Abby and Ben intend to rob Cathy's house. They just broke in. Cathy's home. Abby and Ben leave, ending their plans. Abby and Ben meant to commit a burglary, but they didn't. This is an inchoate offence.