Categories of Crime

Categories of Crime

American Intercontinental University

October 14, 2017

Categories of Crimes

        There are many different categories of crime such as crimes against people and property, crimes of public morality, white-collar crime and cybercrime. Each of these have a major impact not only on those directly involved but also on the families of those the crime is against and the criminal’s family.

Crime against a person can be a homicide, battery, recklessness, sex crimes, unlawful restraint, harassment and stalking. Homicide has several different classifications by itself. There is first degree is when the crime has been premeditated with an intent to kill the victim. To determine first degree murder charges there must be evidence to prove the defendant had planned to kill the victim in an effort to collect insurance money for example. (Editorial Board [EB], 2016, p. 76)

Second degree is very similar to first degree other than the premeditation. With second degree there is no premeditation only an intent to kill. A second-degree murder example is a heated argument gets out of hand over money and one of the people involved pulls out a gun and shoots, killing the other person without it being premeditated.

Felony murder is a conviction that happens when there is a crime committed such as robbery, sexual assault, kidnapping, carjacking, or burglary and while running from the police the defendant shoots someone else killing them. Justified killing can happen in instances such as self-defense. However there much be proof the it was justified or then the killing will be a homicide. (EB, 2016, p. 78)

Battery can be summed up in that it is most common violent crime committed in American. Simple battery is a misdemeanor and classified as other assaults while substantial battery is a felony and classified as aggravated assault. The elements of battery are intentional act, injury to another person, and the act is without consent.

Recklessness are considered criminal offenses because they are egregious or have a substantial risk of injury. An example would be a motor vehicle accident where the driver ran a red light colliding with another vehicle and causing injuries. Sex crimes often involve adults and children; such as sexual assault, statutory rape, and child enticement.  Unlawful restraint when a person’s freedom of movement is restricted. False imprisonment, taking hostages, kidnapping, and human trafficking. (EB, 2016, p. 88)

Crimes against property are things such as graffiti, arson, trespassing, and theft. Damage to property is defined as intentional damage without authority or consent of property that belongs to another individual.  There are no charges to a person who intentionally damaged his or her own property.  It is typically a misdemeanor offense unless the damage made exceeds a certain dollar amount which is determined by each state. (EB, 2016, p. 96)

Crimes of public morality are crimes such as prostitution, pornography and drug use and abuse are some of those. These types of crimes are viewed as being harmful to the public good or harmful and disruptive to a community. Prostitution is defined as selling or performing sexual acts and in return there is payment in the form of money typically. Pornography includes videos, books, photographs, and other materials focusing on nudity and sexual activities. (www.law.jrank.org)