Levels of Crime in the U S OFFENSESINFRACTIONS

Levels of Crime in the U. S.

OFFENSES/INFRACTIONS � Least severe crimes �EX: Jaywalking, spitting on sidewalk, not wearing a seatbelt � Punishments are usually tickets or fines � Usually don’t go to court

MISDEMEANORS � Usually minor crimes �EX: petty theft, simple assault/battery, filing a false crime report, disturbing the peace � Usually get punished with a year or less in prison or jail (less dangerous than prison) �Most just get fines & probation � Police can’t arrest you for misdemeanor unless it was conducted in their presence �If they want to, they can go get a warrant for your arrest, but it’s a lot of trouble for a small crime

FELONIES � Why so sad, Breezy? � Felonies are serious crimes �EX: murder, rape, arson, etc. � Felons can permanently lose certain rights (can’t work in certain professions, can’t contest a divorce, can’t own a gun, can’t run for public office) � All felons are placed in prison for 1 year minimum (some deals can be made) � BIG PROBLEM: felonies in some states are misdemeanors in others (i. e. , prostitution, drugs)

TREASON & ESPIONAGE � Treason �An American citizen either 1) helping another country make war on or overthrow the US government, or 2) attempting to overthrow the government of their own society �Treason is a federal offense automatically punished by death � Espionage �The gathering, transmitting, or losing of information related to the country’s defense so that enemies of the US may use it to their advantage �Spies for China got enough info from the 60 s to the 90 s to build an impressive nuclear program

INCHOATE CRIMES � “Inchoate” means “incomplete or partial” � Different from all other categories, because the intended crime never actually happens �Attempts EX: A burglar gets caught breaking into a house before he actually gets to steal something = attempted burglary �Conspiracies EX: making a phone call to hire a hit man = conspiracy to commit murder

eight index crimes The Part I offenses in the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports. • • • Murder and nonnegligent manslaughter Forcible rape • Larceny-theft Robbery • Motor vehicle theft Aggravated assault • Arson Burglary

Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) The other major crime index in the UCR is based on arrest statistics, provided for the eight index crimes as well as 21 other crimes and status offenses An act that is illegal for a juvenile but would not be a crime if committed by an adult.

Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) The UCR also includes statistics on crime index offenses cleared by the police, which is a rough index of police performance in solving crimes. Murder – 70% Rape – 50% Robbery – 25% Agg. Assault – 60% 20% of all Index crimes Burglary – 15% Larceny – 20% MVT – 15% Arson – 15%

� Who the Victims Are � Victimization is not spread evenly through the U. S. population. The most likely victims of violent crime are • • Younger (age 12 -24) Never married, divorced, or separated Poor Minority Urban residents Men Living in the West or Midwest

Who the Victims Are The majority of men (55%) were victimized by strangers. The majority of women (68%) were victimized by someone they knew.