crime

Crime refers to an action or the perpetration of actions which are detrimental to the rights of either a single individual or a society.

Several types of crime exist according to the jurisdiction and time in which such actions which are classified as crime are committed:

• Crime against the person
• Crime against property
• Crime against the public order
• Crime against the state
• Crime against humanity
• Crime against international law
• Crime against justice and judicial institutions
• Inchoate offenses

The action that is considered as a crime is usually followed by

• an accusation against the perceived perpetrator
• arrest and incarceration of the alleged perpetrator until the bail can be paid or until a formal indictment
• investigation in the jurisdiction of the crime (which, if the alleged perpetrator is determined by the investigation, results in the next step)
• a formal charge and accusation of crime lodged by the investigatory agency (based on the findings of the investigation) to the judicial officers
• an indictment of the alleged perpetrator by the court
• the appointment of both a defense lawyer by or for the accused and a Prosecutor for either the state or the plaintiff
• a trial by jury, where the lawyers represent their respective sides and question their witnesses, accused and investigators on the stand.
• deliberation and voting by the jury in private.
• a verdict announced to the court by an appointed announcer-member of the jury
• if innocent, the release of the accused by the judge and the adjourning of the trial. if guilty, the eventual announcement of a selected and determined sentence of the accused.
• if guilty, the eventual beginning of incarceration of the accused in a prison or rehabilitation facility, with or without parole (in several jurisdictions for certain crimes that are considered especially heinous, the eventual serving of a capital punishment upon the accused if all appeals have been exhausted).
• Appeals by the defense to the court for either re-opening the case for further review (in the hope of a sooner release) or for reduction of the sentence's severity in return for a plea bargain.
• If not a capital punishment or lifelong sentence, Parole and probation for a number of years following release until the accused is determined as having been fully rehabilitated and reformed for societal living and respect of the rights of others.