Introduction

A crime is a violation of federal, state, and local law. The criminal offense ranges from shoplifting to murder.

Once an act gets identified as a crime, the law attempts to define the crime in a way that can distinguish the harm done and measure the seriousness of the crime.

However, violations do not result in the loss of civil rights. Still, they might result in the loss of privileges, such as public employment, public office, and professional license, which are known as collateral consequences of criminal charges.

In this article, we will specify five types of criminal offenses under criminal law.

Types Of Criminal Offenses

Here are the types of criminal offense that comes under the criminal law.

1. Crime Against Property

Crime against property is widespread and is often seen as less severe than crimes against the person.

The crime under the law includes burglary, arson, destruction of property, grand theft, trespassing, and robbery. Hence, there are varying degrees of liabilities, which depend on the circumstances of the case.

Thus, crime against property is penalized depending on the value of the property, the offender’s criminal history, and the type of offense. If you are facing any issues with your property, you can visit the website and look for criminal law references to help you resolve your issue.

2. Crime Against A Person

Crime against a person is often considered the most serious type of criminal offense.

A crime against an individual is an offense that causes bodily harm or affects the mental anguish of another human being. Similarly, homicide is also considered a crime against a person, claiming for life, and this case might be charged at different levels depending on premeditation and intent.

Thus, manslaughter and murder are both considered criminal homicide. The following is a partial list of crimes against a person and they are:

• Sexual assault.
• Assault and battery.
• Child abuse.

The crime against the person typically holds the hardest penalties. When a person is convicted, such an offense can be felony and misdemeanor charges with penalties from years of imprisonment and heavy fines.

3. Crime Against Morality

This type of crime is also known as victimless crime.

Crime against morality is offenses not committed against the person and property but against moral and social values. These crimes are against the law and are punishable by imprisonment, heavy fines, and other terms and conditions by statute.

The following is a list of crimes that are against morality.

• Illegal drug use.
• Illegal drug use.
• Indecent exposure.

4. Financial Crime

Financial crimes often include deception and fraud for financial gain. Also known as white-collar crimes, they are usually financial and can occur within the business world.

The following are some of the crimes of white-collar crimes, and they are:

• Tax evasion.
• Insider trading.
• Securities fraud.
• Identify theft.
• Public corruption.
• Election law violation.
• Bank fraud.
• Healthcare fraud.
• Money laundering.

These non-violent crimes are not necessarily victimless, which can cause people and businesses to suffer significant financial losses.

While all the crimes are prosecuted on the federal or state level, it can make the potential penalty far greater.

In the case of white-collar crimes, one might be prosecuted on federal and state levels, making potential penalties far greater.

5.  Statutory Crime

Statutory crimes include all criminal offenses as they are forbidden by status. In this sense, statutory crimes are those which are prohibited for the protection and for the betterment of society.

For instance, alcohol-related crimes, drug crimes, and traffic offenses fall under this category.

Hence, the crime against morality can be considered a statutory crime. Here is a list of statutory crimes and they are:

• Selling alcohol to minors.
• Drug cultivation, distribution, and sale.
• Driving under the influence.
• Boating under the influence.
• Hit and run.
• Reckless driving.
• Driving within the license.
• Refusing a blood test or breath test.

Choose a Good Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are filed against any charges, you must hire a skilled criminal defense attorney. Look for a lawyer with experience and knowledge, as they will help you improve the case’s outcome.

The criminal lawyer can fight for your rights and will assist you in minimizing the punishment.

The lawyer serves as the representative, guide, and protector in criminal cases. When you call the right lawyer, you can improve the chance of facing harsh penalties.