Types of Crimes
Once an act gets identified as a crime, the law then attempts to define crime in a way that can distinguish the harm done and the severity of the crime.
Crimes Against the Person
Crimes against the person are often considered the most serious and may include homicide, rape, assault, kidnapping, and intimate partner violence. Most, but not all, “crimes against the person” would also be commonly labeled “violent” crimes.
Crimes Against Property
Crimes against property are widespread and generally seen as less severe than crimes against the person. Property crimes may include larceny, burglary, arson, and trespassing. There are varying degrees of liability depending on the circumstances of the case.
Crimes Against Society
Crimes against society are those that are seen as disrupting social order. They may or may not also imply physical harm to property, people, or other living creatures. For certain crimes against society, it may be difficult to identify a specific or individual victim. In theory, the victim of these crimes is society, because the social and moral order has been violated.
Vocabulary:
distinguish the harm done – to identify, measure, and separate the specific type or amount of damage caused by an action, “The judge reviewed the evidence to distinguish the harm done to the local business from the personal distress caused to the owners.”
severity of the crime – the seriousness, gravity, or extreme nature of an illegal act, “The length of a prison sentence depends heavily on the severity of the crime and whether a weapon was used.”
crimes against the person – illegal acts that involve direct physical harm, force, or threats targeted at an individual, “Offenses such as assault and kidnapping are classified as crimes against the person and carry the harshest legal penalties.”
intimate partner violence – physical, sexual, or emotional abuse committed by a current or former spouse or romantic partner, “The community center opened a new 24-hour hotline to support victims of intimate partner violence.”
crimes against property – illegal acts that involve the damage, destruction, or theft of money, land, or physical belongings without harming a human being directly, “Shoplifting, graffiti, and home burglary are common examples of crimes against property.”
varying degrees of liability – different levels of legal responsibility or blame that a person might face depending on the facts of a case, “Because one person planned the heist while the other just drove the getaway car, the court assigned varying degrees of liability to the defendants.”
crimes against society – illegal activities that violate public safety, morals, or regulations, harming the community as a whole rather than a specific individual, “Gambling rackets and drug trafficking are typically prosecuted as crimes against society.”
disrupting social order – breaking the peace, stability, laws, or normal routines that keep a community safe and organized, “Staging an unpermitted riot in the middle of a busy highway can result in heavy fines for disrupting social order.”