Crime Definition

Definition Of Crime:

nAn act or omission that violates the law and is punishable by a sentence of incarceration.

See also felony, misdemeanor, offense, and violation.anticipatory crimeSee inchoate crime.bias crimeSee hate crime.common-law crimeAn offense that was a crime under the common law. Nearly all crimes, including offenses that were common-law crimes, are now defined by statute and are, thus, statutory crimes. Also, most states no longer recognize common-law crimes.computer crimeA crime, such as committing fraud over the Internet, that requires the knowledge or utilization of computer technology. Also called cybercrime.crime against natureOne of the three sexual acts (oral sex and anal sex, whether with a person of the opposite or same sex, and sex with animals) that were considered crimes under the common law and that, in some cases, are currently a statutory crime. Also called unnatural act. See also bestiality and sodomy.crime of passionA crime committed in a moment of sudden or extreme anger or other emotional disturbance sufficient enough for a reasonable person to lose control and not reflect on what he or she is doing.crime of violence. See violent crime.cybercrimeSee computer crime.hate crimeA crime motivated mostly by bias, ill will, or hatred toward the victim's actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, country of national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Many states impose extra penalties if a crime is committed due to such motivation. Also called bias crime. See also freedom of speech.high crimeA crime whose commission offends the public's morality.inchoate crimeOne of the three crimes (attempt, conspiracy, solicitation) that are steps toward the commission of another crime. Also called anticipatory crime, anticipatory offense, and inchoate offense.infamous crime Under common law, any one of the crimes that were considered particularly dishonorable and the punishment for which included ineligibility to hold public office, to serve on a jury, or to testify at a civil or criminal trial. These crimes included treason, any felony, forgery, and perjury, among other offenses. Any crime punishable by death or by imprisonment of more than one year. See also punishment.status crimeA crime that is defined by a person's condition or character rather than by any wrongful act that they have done. For example, the "crime" of being an alcoholic as opposed to being intoxicated in public or drinking alcohol while driving a vehicle. The United States Supreme Court has held that to impose a sanction for such crimes violates the ban found in the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution against cruel and unusual punishment. See also vagrancy.statutory crime An offense that was not a crime under the common law, but has been made a crime by a statute. Broadly, any crime that is defined by a statute. See also common-law crime.victimless crimeA crime, such as drug use, gambling, and a crime against nature, that directly harms no person or property except that of the consenting participants.violent crimeAny crime that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another or any felony that entails a substantial risk that physical force will be used against the person or property of another. Also called a crime of violence.white-collar crimeAny business or financial non-violent crime, such as bribery, consumer fraud, corruption, embezzlement, and stock manipulation, committed by business executives, professionals, and public officials.

Definition Of Crime:

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