Criminal Law: Categories Of Criminal Offenses That You Should Know About
Posted on: 20 September 2021
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A crime is an offense that is punishable by law. Regardless of how severe or minor you perceive the crime, you will need the help of criminal lawyers since criminal law is complex. Once a judge hears your case, you might be looking at prison time or hefty fines if found guilty based on the evidence presented in court. On the other hand, if you are lucky enough to get away with minor charges, you might pay a penalty fee and avoid going to court. Below are a few types of criminal offenses you should know.
Crimes Against a Person or Property
Offenses against a person involve using force to cause physical injuries or the threat to use force against the person. This can involve the threat to use or the use of force against their property. Crimes against persons further subdivide into murder, aggravated assault, rape, child abuse, or battery.
On the other hand, when someone interferes with your property, such as a break-in, auto theft, or arson, without causing physical injuries, they can be charged with a crime against property. Sometimes such crimes can also lead to physical injuries, calling for separate/additional charges.
Inchoate Crimes
The word inchoate stands for something that is not fully formed. Such crimes refer to unsuccessful attempts to carry out an offense. A good example is when someone plans a crime against you but does see it to the end. That said, it is still illegal to attempt anything that could potentially harm someone else, such as abetting, attempting, and conspiring.
Of the three, an attempt is a serious crime, as most offenders intend to cause harm to the victim. Conspiracy is when two or more people come together to make plans of intentionally harming someone, while abetting is when someone is indirectly involved in an inchoate crime.
Statutory Crimes
Every state or city has a set of formal laws signed into effect by a legislative body that every resident must follow. As such, statutory crimes will vary from city to city or state to state, depending on where you reside. A crime against the state or federal statutes in one city might be legal in another. Depending on where you live, these crimes may involve drunk driving, traffic offenses, drug-related crimes, selling or distributing alcohol to minors, and more, depending on the laws passed by the governing body.
If you or a loved one is accused of criminal offenses, criminal lawyers can help you better understand your rights. They can also help you build a strong defense.