LAW I CRIMES CRIME PUNISHABLE OFFENSE AGAINST SOCIETY

LAW I CRIMES

CRIME • PUNISHABLE OFFENSE • AGAINST SOCIETY • PROSECUTORS BRING AN ACTION

ELEMENTS OF A CRIME ØA DUTY TO DO OR NOT TO DO A CERTAIN THING. ØAN ACT OR OMISSION IN VIOLATION OF THAT DUTY ØCRIMINAL INTENT

CRIMINAL ACT THE SPECIFIC CONDUCT THAT VIOLATES A CRIMINAL STATUTE

CLASSIFICATIONS OF CRIMES • FELONY – A CRIME PUNISHABLE BY CONFINEMENT FOR MORE THAN ONE YEAR IN A STATE PRISON OR BY A FINE OF MORE THAN $1, 000 OR BOTH

CLASSIFICATIONS OF CRIMES • MISDEMEANOR – LESS SERIOUS CRIME. • CONFINEMENT IN A COUNTY OR CITY JAIL FOR LESS THAN ONE YEAR

CLASSIFICATIONS OF CRIMES • INFRACTIONS – LESSER MISDEMEANORS • CAN ONLY BE FINED OR PRIVILEGES SUSPENDED • EXAMPLE – PARKING VIOLATIONS

WHITE COLLAR CRIMES • OFFENSES COMMITTED IN THE BUSINESS WORLD • EVADE INCOME TAXES • DEFRAUD CONSUMERS • CHEATING CUSTOMERS • FALSE INSURANCE AND AUTO CLAIMS, ETC.

LARCENY • THEFT • WRONGFUL TAKING OF MONEY OR PERSONAL PROPERTY BELONGING TO SOMEONE ELSE • INTEND TO DEPRIVE

RECEIVING STOLEN PROPETY • ONE WHO RECEIVES STOLEN PROPERTY IS KNOWN AS A “FENCE”

FALSE PRETENSES • ONE WHO OBTAINS MONEY OR OTHER PROPERTY BY LYING ABOUT A FACT • A TYPE OF FRAUD

BRIBERY • UNLAWFULLY OFFERING OR GIVING ANYTHING OF VALUE TO INFLUENCE PERFORMANCE OF AN OFFICIAL

COMPUTER CRIME • WRONGFUL TAKING OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OF ANOTHER • HACKING • IDENTIFY THEFT, ETC.

EXTORTION • BLACKMAIL • OBTAINING MONEY OR PROPERTY FROM A PERSON BY WRONGFUL USE OF FORCE, FEAR, OR POWER • SECRETS • BODILY INJURY • EMBARASSING FACTS

CONSPIRACY • AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN TWO OR MORE PEOPLE TO COMMIT A CRIME

ARSON • THE WILLFUL AND ILLEGAL BURNING OF A BUILDING

EMBEZZLEMENT TAKING ANOTHER’S PROPERTY OR MONEY BY A PERSON TO WHOM IT HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED.

PERJURY • PEOPLE WHO LIE UNDER OATH • CAN BE IMPRISONED FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS

ANTITRUST LAWS • COMPETING COMPANIES MAY NOT COOPERATE IN FIXING PRICES • MONOPOLIES

ROBBERY • VARIATION OF LARCENY • USING FORCE OR FEAR TO TAKE MONEY OR PROPERTY

BURGLARY • VARIATION OF LARCENY • ENTERING A BUILDING WITHOUT PERMISSION INTENDING TO COMMIT A CRIME

LARCENY • CAN BE A FELONY OR A MISDEMEANOR • CLASSIFICATION DEPENDS ON VALUE OF STOLEN PROPERTY • SHOPLIFING • PICKPOCKETING • PURSE SNATCHING

FORGERY • FALSELY MAKING OR MATERIALLY ALTERING A WRITING TO DEFAUD ANOTHER • CHECKS

DEFENSES TO CRIMES • A DEFENSE ALLOWS THE DEFENDANT TO ESCAPE LIABILITY

PROCEDURAL DEFENSES • PROBLEMS WITH THE WAY EVIDENCE IS OBTAINED • MIRANDA RIGHTS? • FORCED CONFESSIONS? • IGNORANCE OF LAW IS NOT A DEFENSE

SUBSTANTIVE DEFENSES • THEY DISPROVE, JUSTIFY, OR EXCUSE THE CRIMES

SELF DEFENSE • USE OF FORCE TO PREVENT DEATH, SERIOUS BODILY HARM, RAPE, OR KIDNAPPING

CRIMINAL INSANITY • ACCUSED DOES NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG

IMMUNITY • FREEDOM FROM PROSECUTION WHEN ONE HAS COMMITTED A CRIME

CONTEMPT OF COURT • AN ACTION THAT HINDERS THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. • PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT

PUNISHMENT • ANY PENALTY PROVIDED BY LAW AND IMPOSED BY A COURT

PLEA BARGAINING • GIVE UP RIGHT TO TRIAL TO AVOID RISK OF GREATER PENALTY IF CONVICTED