Section 2.1Crimes and Criminal Justice

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A crime is an act that violates the rules of society, or the law

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

There are three levels of crime:

felonies

misdemeanors

infractions

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A felony is a major crime. It is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.

Examples of felonies are murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A misdemeanor is a less serious crime. It is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both, but not as severely as a felony.

Minor theft, driving without a license, and simple assault are misdemeanors.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

An infraction is a minor offense. It is punishable by a fine, but not imprisonment.

Speeding and jaywalking are infractions.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A crime requires two elements:

the criminal act

the required state of mind

To prove a crime occurred does not require proving a motive.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

Defenses to committing a crime include:

insanity

entrapment

self-defense

defense of family members

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

Entrapment is when a person is tricked by a police officer into committing a crime.

Section 2.2Types of Crimes

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Crimes can be categorized into crimes against:

people

business

society

property

government

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Crimes against people include:

murder

assault

kidnapping

domestic violence

manslaughter

battery

sexual offenses

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Murder is the intentional killing of another person.

Manslaughter is killing another person without intending to do so.

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Domestic violence laws protect children, spouses, and other family members from neglect, physical abuse, or mental abuse by other family members.

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Crimes against property include:

burglary

robbery

larceny

vandalism

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Larceny is taking property without intending to return it.

Burglary is breaking into a house to take property.

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Robbery is taking property through violence or the threat of violence.

Vandalism is malicious damage to property.

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Crimes against business include:

embezzlement

fraud

arson

shoplifting

money laundering

forgery

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Crimes against the government include:

treason

bribery

obstruction of justice

perjury

contempt of court

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Crimes against society include:

disorderly conduct rioting

Section 2.2 Types of Crimes

Another category of crimes is motor vehicle violations. This includes:

drag racing

joyriding