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.

Classes

• Infraction
• Misdemeanor
• Felony
• Summary
• Indictable
• Hybrid

Types

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
  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Extortion
  • Harassment
  • Kidnapping
  • Identity theft
  • Manslaughter (and corporate manslaughter)
  • Murder
  • Rape
  • Robbery
• Crime against property
  • Arson
  • Blackmail
  • Burglary
  • Deception
  • Embezzlement
  • False pretenses
  • Fraud
  • Handling
  • Larceny
  • Theft
  • Vandalism
• Crime against the public order
  • Drug possession
• Crime against the state
  • Tax evasion
  • Espionage
  • Treason
• Crime against humanity and international law
  • crimes against peace
  • waging a war of aggression
  • crimes of apartheid
  • piracy
  • genocide
  • war crimes
  • the slave trade
• Crime against justice and judicial institutions
  • Bribery
  • Misprision of felony
  • Obstruction
  • Perjury
  • Malfeasance in office
• Inchoate offenses
  • Accessory
  • Attempt
  • Conspiracy
  • Incitement
  • Solicitation
  • Common purpose

After a crime is committed

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.