An Introduction to Crime

Definition of Crime

crime noun

\ˈkrīm\

Definition of CRIME1: an act or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law; especially : a gross violation of law

Types of Crime•Crime can be categorized in a number of different ways•The most basic way to categorize crime:

THREE TYPES

•Violent Crimes

•Property Crimes

•Public Order Crimes

Types of Crime•VIOLENT CRIME- A crime where an act results in physical injury or death

•PROPERTY CRIME- An act that threatens property held by an individual or the state.

•PUBLIC ORDER CRIMES- Acts that challenge the general well-being of society

Violent Crimes•Violent crimes are the most serious offenses and are severely punished

•Violent crimes are often committed by cirminals who know their victims

•Violent crimes include: criminal homicide, assault, rape and robbery.

Definition of Violent Crimes

•CRIMINAL HOMICIDE- refers to when one person kills another. Includes murder and manslaughter.

•ASSAULT- an intentional act that causes offensive or harmful contact. Includes battery and aggravated assault.

Definition of Violent Crimes

•RAPE- forcible sexual relation’s with someone against their will.

•ROBBERY- taking of money or goods from someone by force or intimidation.

Property Crimes•Amateurs commit property crimes because of situational factors

•Professional criminals make a significant portion of their livelihood from property crimes

•Property crimes include larceny, embezzlement, shoplifting and burglary

Definition of Property Crimes

•LARCENY- the taking of personal property with the intent to keep it permanently

•EMBEZZLEMENT- The fraudulent conversion of another's property by a person who is in a position of trust, such as an agent or employee.

Definition of Property Crimes

•SHOPLIFTING- Theft of merchandise from a store or business establishment.

•BURGLARY- The criminal offense of breaking and entering a building illegally for the purpose of committing a crime.

Public Order Crimes•Police tend to treat these crimes as minor offenses

•Public order crimes highlight the tensions between different interpretations of American values

•Public order crimes include public drunkenness, aggressive panhandling, disorderly conduct and vandalism

Felony vs. Misdemeanor•FELONY- A serious crime, characterized under federal law as any offense punishable by death or imprisonment in excess of one year.

•MISDEMEANOR- Offenses lower than felonies and generally those punishable by fine, penalty, or imprisonment of up to one year.