Did you know there are criminal codes and penal codes in every state? Regardless of your actions and your intention, if you have committed a criminal offense, you are at risk of going to jail.

Jail time can affect your relationships, your income, and your life in general. For this reason, if you have been charged with a crime, you should explore all legal options available to you. When you understand the common types of criminal offenses, you will know what to expect moving forward.

In this guide, we will discuss various types of criminal offenses and their consequences.

Crimes Against a Person

Crimes against a person involve physical or psychological harm inflicted on another person. It is important to remember that someone does not have to be physically harmed for a crime to be committed. The threat of harm is also a crime. Crimes against a person are very serious and often have life-changing consequences for the victim.

Here’s a list of the common crimes committed against a person.

Murder

Murder is the unlawful killing of one human being by another with intention and malice. Murder carries a hefty penalty. If convicted the offender can face a maximum sentence of life in prison or death penalty.

In some states, murder can be either first-degree or second-degree. The First-degree carries a harsher sentence than the second-degree.

Aggravated Assault

Aggravated assault is defined as an attack. Usually, physical violence causes physical harm to someone or leads to the threat of it. It takes place when an attacker goes beyond the typical use of physical force. It includes the use of a weapon or a more forceful attack.

It is a crime of violence that can include assault with a deadly weapon. It can also include the use of force likely to produce great harm. Aggravated assault may be punishable by prison time and significant fines. The penalties are most severe when the assault results in serious injury or death.

Abduction

Abduction is a crime in which one person acts without consent. And without legal authority, to remove, detain, or confine another person. It’s considered a serious offense in most jurisdictions. It not only violates the law but also violates the victim’s right to security and freedom.

Abduction is sometimes committed as a “kidnapping”. It can involve a ransom payment or some other form of coercion.

Abduction can be used to achieve any number of objectives. It ranges from monetary gain to political gain, or even revenge. Victims of abduction are usually powerless to prevent their own kidnapping. It makes them even more vulnerable and at risk for further exploitation and abuse.

Rape

Rape is a crime against a person that involves sexual contact without consent. It’s considered a crime against a person. It affects the physical, psychological, and emotional well-being of its victims.

The harm that rape causes can be long-term. Damages can include the following:

  • lasting trauma
  • anxiety
  • depression
  • suicidal thoughts
  • physical pain

Even if there is a lack of physical evidence, rape is still considered a crime against a person. The punishment for the perpetrator of rape includes sentence, probation, or rehabilitation programs.

Crimes Against Property

Crimes against property involve any kind of illegal activity that targets objects, resources, or property. These activities are often closely intertwined with other types of criminal activity. The growing prevalence of these crimes has made them an increasingly prominent part of our nation’s criminal justice system, prompting authorities to take steps toward prevention by increasing police presence and awareness.

These are the most common crimes against property. 

Burglary

Burglary is a crime that often includes the unlawful entry of a residence or other building. This is not only limited to dwellings such as shops, businesses, storage facilities, and automobiles.

In some states, there is a differentiation between burglary and breaking and entering. Burglary covers any unlawful entry meant to commit a felony or theft. Breaking and entering involving only entry with no indication of further criminal activity. Burglary is often classified as either a first or second-degree felony, depending on the severity of the offense.

Larceny

Larceny is often used to refer to the theft of another person’s physical property without the use of force or fear. It can take the form of a one-time theft of items of great value or a pattern of repetitive theft over a period of time. In all cases, when the property is taken without the owner’s consent, it falls under the legal definition of larceny. 

Robbery

Robberies can occur through physical means. It includes when an individual grabs something out of another person’s hand or harms them in the process. Robberies can also occur through virtual means. This could be when an individual steals another person’s credit card or accesses their bank account without permission.

Because robbery is a form of theft, any stolen property must be returned to the rightful owner. The offender can expect to face serious consequences, including hefty fines and confinement. 

Auto Theft

Auto theft involves the removal or taking of someone else’s car or vehicle without their permission. This can result in financial devastation for the owner and in some cases even physical danger. Auto theft is common in large cities but can occur anywhere at any time.

It’s highly possible for an offender to get away with a stolen car by changing its paint color or altering the vehicle’s identification numbers. Due to advances in technology, auto theft has become easier and more prevalent in recent years. Installing an alarm system or immobilizer can also act as an effective anti-theft measure. 

Crimes Against Public Order

Crimes against public order include a variety of offenses and are taken very seriously by the law. These offenses result in penalties like fines, jail time, probation, and community service. 

Some of the most common types of crimes against public order are the following.

Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct refers to a variety of offenses that disrupt public life. Many of these offenses are classified as misdemeanors, which can carry a hefty fine, probation, or even jail time.

If someone participates in a protest or demonstration that deviates from the expected behavior of the public, that too could be classified as disorderly conduct. It’s important to remember that no matter what the situation is, public safety should always be a top priority and disruptive behavior should be addressed professionally and swiftly.

Resisting Arrest

Resisting arrest is when an individual does not submit to the authority of law enforcement. Deliberately frustrating the law enforcement officers’ efforts to enforce the law or impede the arrest.

Resisting arrest is generally treated as a misdemeanor or a felony offense. The consequences of a conviction on a charge of resisting arrest vary greatly depending on the state in which the crime was committed and the severity of the crime. Penalties may include monetary fines, jail time, and the possibility of a criminal record.

Public Intoxication

Public intoxication is the act of appearing in public while displaying the effects of excessive consumption of alcohol or other drugs. People suffering from public intoxication display behavior. It includes erratic behavior, slurred speech, and motor impairment.

In most cases, public intoxication is seen as a misdemeanor and punishable by minor fines. The penalty can become more serious if the offender harms another person or property. Public intoxication often leads to more serious violations of the law such as disorderly conduct, assault and battery, and even driving while intoxicated. 

Inciting a Riot

Inciting a riot is when a person communicates or encourages others to engage in a violent disturbance. Inciting a riot is often viewed as a serious criminal offense and may be punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.

To be convicted of inciting a riot, it must be proven that the suspect willfully sought to provoke or urge others to become involved in a riotous disturbance and that they had the intent to cause it.

Financial Crimes

Financial crimes typically involve illegal activities related to money and property. A fine can vary from a few hundred dollars to many thousands, while jail time could range from a few months to several years.

The punishment for these types of offenses also depends on the nature and degree of harm they cause. Those that inflict substantial harm or losses will face more serious repercussions. Financial crimes can stay on one’s record and have long-lasting consequences for the offender. 

Here are some of the common financial crimes that can be committed.  

Fraud 

Fraud typically involves manipulating financial accounts for profit and often involves the use of stolen identities, credit cards, and other financial instruments. The rise in online access to financial information makes financial crime fraud all the more prevalent. This form of fraud provides criminals with the opportunity to exploit weaknesses in a business’s accounting systems. 

Embezzlement and Money Laundering

Embezzlement involves an individual taking money or assets for personal use that have been entrusted to his or her care. Money laundering on the other hand is the process of concealing the source of illegally obtained funds and integrating them back into formal financial systems.

To conceal the origin of the money, this process will use legal arguments to explain the sudden inflow of funds. It includes the following: 

  • International wire transfers
  • shell companies
  • third-party brokers
  • offshore accounts

Tax Evasion

Tax evasion is a form of financial crime with serious consequences and is considered injurious to the economy. Common techniques used by people to illegally avoid paying taxes include underreporting income, failing to pay taxes, and claiming abusive deductions or exemptions.

Financial crimes related to tax evasion can include concealing a beneficiary’s true identity, aiding and abetting the crime, or misrepresenting a financial transaction. Depending on the severity of the offense, tax evasion can be a felony or a misdemeanor. Penalties can include hefty fines, repayment of taxes owed, and even imprisonment. 

Drug Offenses

Drug offenses can refer to any type of illegal use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of illicit substances. Penalties for drug offenses vary greatly. It may include incarceration, fines, probation, community service, and drug treatment.

Depending on the jurisdiction, the severity of the offense, and the amount of the drug involved, a drug offense may be classified as a felony or a misdemeanor. Felony drug offenses usually carry more serious punishments.

Other felony drug offenses like manufacturing, distributing, or trafficking drugs may result in long prison sentences. On the other hand, a misdemeanor drug offense is usually punishable by up to one year of jail time and a fine. 

Misdemeanor 

Misdemeanors are minor criminal charges, such as petty theft, vandalism, trespassing, simple assault, possession of a controlled substance, public intoxication, and other low-level offenses. Most misdemeanor convictions result in a fine, probation, and incarceration for up to one year in a county or local jail.

Some also require mandatory community service or other alternative punishments. Lawyers at https://koehlerlaw.net stated that there are examples of misdemeanor offenses that are punishable by fines or incarceration in all states including DUI/DWI, disorderly conduct, prostitution, fraud, and reckless driving.

A person charged with a misdemeanor may also face a criminal trial for the damages caused by the offense. Depending on the state and gravity of the offense, a conviction may also result in a loss of civil rights, such as the right to vote or to possess a firearm.

Felony

Felony offenses are the most serious of a criminal case. It is punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty in some states. Felonies typically involve serious property damage, violence, weapon possession, fraud, drug trafficking, or other serious crimes.

Penalties for felony cases typically include fines, probation, rehabilitation programs, and other court-ordered requirements. Depending on the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history of the offender, a felony crime can carry a sentence of up to life in prison.

Foster a Safer Society by Understanding These Different Criminal Offenses

Criminal offenses come in many shapes and sizes and associated penalties vary greatly. In general, the most common criminal offenses are violent crimes, property crimes, drug offenses, and white-collar crimes, with punishments ranging from fines to life imprisonment.

By understanding the various types of criminal offenses and associated penalties, it is possible to foster a safer, more secure society. Be sure to check your local laws and stay informed- our actions can make a positive impact!

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