Definitions and Categories of Crime
No matter what day of the week it is, it seems as though there is always a news article that is focused on some form of criminal activity. There is always some kind of criminal activity taking place somewhere in the world, whether it is an act of terrorism in another country or a robbery in your neck of the woods. These days, it's impossible to get away from the fact that crime is everywhere. Even well-known people can't manage to get away from it. The media is fast to make a profit out of any legal trouble that famous people get themselves into or any crimes that are perpetrated against famous people.
Did you ever take a moment to think about what constitutes criminal behaviour and why it's such a popular topic, particularly when it concerns a well-known person? So, let's take a look at this subject and analyse the idea of wrongdoing in the world. Acts that violate laws on whatever level, be they national, state, or municipal, constitute criminal behaviour. When a rule of the law is breached, there is a consequence that follows. The punishment may entail the loss of one's freedom or even one's life in extreme cases. There is no possibility of there being a crime in the absence of a law that specifies the conduct that is prohibited. Therefore, even if an individual's behaviour is so horrifying that it shocks others, it will not be regarded criminal if there is no law that makes it a crime. This is because there is no legal precedent for criminal activity.
Let's take a more in-depth look at the nature of crime and how it might be characterised by examining a few high-profile examples involving well-known figures.
Different Types of Crime
There are three different types of criminal activity:
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- Violations (infractions)
The commission of a felony is the most serious offence that a person is capable of committing. In the United States, the minimum mandatory sentence for a felony is one year in jail. In point of fact, there are a few states that continue to use the death penalty for certain categories of serious felonies. Personal offences including homicide, robbery, and rape fall under the category of felony crimes. Other categories include offences committed against property, such as breaking and entering or stealing.
The killings of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman are a well-known example of a celebrity case that resulted in the charging of a criminal offence. O.J. Simpson, the famous football player and the ex-husband of Nicole Brown Simpson, was arrested and accused with the slayings of the two people. O.J. Simpson was tried in public for a very long time, and in the end of it, he was declared not guilty of the accusations of felony murder.
Misdemeanors are less serious offences. These offences have sentences of incarceration that are less than one year in length. Assault, violence, and passing a bogus check are all types of crimes that fall under the category of misdemeanours. For instance, in 2011, actress Lindsay Lohan entered a guilty plea to a charge of misdemeanour theft for the theft of a necklace valued at $2,500.00.
Finally, violations are offences that are considered to be less serious than misdemeanours. Examples of violations include infractions of traffic laws as well as violations of town or city bylaws. Recently, actor Alec Baldwin was issued a penalty in New York City for riding his bicycle on the incorrect side of the road. This is an illustration of a violation of one of the ordinances that govern New York City.
Types of Various Crimes
There is a wide variety of wrongdoing to choose from. Personal crimes fall into the category of crimes committed against individuals and make up one type of criminal activity. When someone commits a crime against another person, that individual is always the one who suffers the consequences of that crime. These types of criminal activity include:
- Murder
- Violent sexual assault by force
- Theft Assault with a Deadly Weapon
- Kidnapping
The assassination of John Lennon in 1980 is an example of a high-profile crime that also qualifies as a personal crime. Lennon was murdered by his assailant, who fired four shots into the back of his head, causing him to pass away. As opposed to Lennon's possessions, the assassination of John Lennon was a person-oriented crime because the victim, John Lennon, was the target of the violence.
Property crimes are another type of criminal offence, which differ from violent crimes in that they are not committed explicitly against individuals but rather against property. When someone commits a crime against property, the victim's possessions could get damaged or even destroyed. In most cases, nobody gets hurt, but there is always a chance that somebody will get hurt, like when there's a fire that was started intentionally. The following are examples of property crimes:
- Burglary
- Larceny-theft
- Robbery of motor vehicles
- Arson
The break-in at Paris Hilton's home in Malibu is an illustration of a crime committed against celebrity property. In 2013, a burglar broke into Hilton's house for the sixth time in his lifetime. The thieves made off with various items, including clothing, handbags, and photos. This is an example of a property crime because Paris Hilton herself was not harmed in any way by the damage that was done; rather, only her property was affected.
Opinions on Crime
There are three perspectives on the subject of crime. The first of these perspectives is called the consensus view of crime, and it's the one most commonly held. According to the widely held conception of crime, criminal acts are any activities that cause significant harm to the vast majority of members in a society. Because of this, criminal law came into being so that potentially dangerous activities could be controlled. The assumption that the criminal law reflects the values and conventions of the majority of society is further supported by the view that is considered to be the consensus view. To put it another way, criminal law, as well as the behaviours that the law classifies as illegal, is an illustration of the general agreement of public opinion.
The conflict view of crime is the second perspective on crime that can be taken into consideration. According to the conflict perspective of crime, the law itself is constructed and controlled by powerful and wealthy individuals. This group uses the legal system to exert control over the lower social classes and the less fortunate members of society. According to this point of view, the law provides the wealthy and powerful with the ability to regulate the conduct of individuals who may hold opinions and values that are in conflict with their own, as well as to preserve their place in the world and their economic standing.
The interactionist view of crime is the third and last perspective on crime that can be taken into consideration. According to the interactionist view of crime, the sole reason that certain behaviours are considered criminal is that they go against established social norms. In addition, the law is formulated so that it takes into account the interests and values of people who are politically and socially involved in their communities. Therefore, those who are in power are the ones who are responsible for creating crimes. Therefore, in accordance with the interactionist view of crime, something that is considered a crime in today's society might be deemed entirely legitimate in tomorrow's society if people in authority have a shift in their mindset.
Conclusion
Let's go over what we've picked up from this class, shall we?
To begin, an act that is considered a crime is one that is in violation of a law, whether it be a federal, state, or local law, and for which there is a sanction or consequence. In addition, there are three distinct categories of criminal offences, including violations, misdemeanours, and felonies. The severity of the punishment associated with each option varies according to the specifics of the offence committed.
There are many different types of criminal activity, the most common of which are assaults on people and thefts from businesses or homes.
The consensus perspective, the conflict view, and the interactionist view are the three distinct points of view that can be taken on criminal behaviour. The concept of crime and the relationship between the law and criminal activity can be understood differently depending on which viewpoint one adopts.
Outcomes of Reading
Once you've read this, you should be able to:
- Define crime
- Identify the three types of criminal offences and briefly discuss their associated penalties.
- Give some examples of the various types of crimes.
- Determine and explain each of the three perspectives on criminal behaviour.
How can we legally define crime?
A crime is a government-punishable criminal conduct, usually punished by fine or jail.
What are the leading 10 most frequent crimes?
Top 10 U.S. crimes are theft, burglary, auto theft, aggravated assault, robbery, basic assault, indecent exposure, trespassing, petty theft, and public intoxication.
What are three categories of crime?
Felonies, Misdemeanors, Violations are three categories of crime.
What is the Felonies?
Most offences are felonies. Felonies carry a year-plus prison sentence. Some states execute certain felony crimes. Murder, robbery, and rape are felonies. Burglary and larceny are property crimes.
What is the misdemeanors?
Lesser offences are misdemeanours. These offences have sentences of less than a year. Assault, battery, bad checks are misdemeanours. Lindsay Lohan pleaded guilty to stealing a $2,500 necklace in 2011.
What is the violations?
TOffenses include traffic violations and city ordinance violations. Alec Baldwin got a ticket for riding on the wrong side of the road in NYC. Here's a NYC ordinance violation.
What is the personal crime?
Personal crimes are a type of crime. Personal crimes usually affect people. This category contains murder, rape, robbery, assault, and kidnapping.
What is the property crime?
Property crimes target property rather than people. Property crime involves destroying or defacing property. Arson can cause injuries, but it's rare. Burglary, auto theft, and arson are property crimes.
How many perspectives on the subject of crime?
There are three perspectives on the subject of crime. First is called consensus view of crime, second is called conflict view of crime and third one is known as interactionist view of crime.
What is the consensus perspective of crime?
It's the consensus perspective of crime. According to the common definition of crime, criminal acts are those that harm the majority of a society. Criminal law arose to govern potentially hazardous acts. The consensus approach supports the premise that criminal law reflects majority-society beliefs and conventions. Criminal law and illegal behaviours illustrate public opinion.
What is the conflict perspective of crime?
According to the conflict theory of crime, powerful and rich people rule the law. This group uses the law to govern the poor and lower castes. According to this concept, the law allows the affluent and powerful to manage the behaviour of people with conflicting beliefs and ideals, as well as to preserve their place in the world and economic standing.
What is the interactionist perspective of crime?
According to the interactionist approach, certain behaviours are illegal because they violate social standards. The law also considers the interests and ideals of politically and socially active citizens. Those in authority cause crimes. According to the interactionist concept of crime, something that is illegal now may be legal tomorrow if authorities change their ideas.