Criminal law is defined as a set of laws that apply to certain criminal acts. It lays down the rights when it comes to the general health, safety, rights, and property of others. This particular law also states the penalties or punishment of convicted offenders.
Criminal law is categorized into five different scopes. They include crime against an individual, property, statute, inchoate, or finance.
Criminal law serves as a framework to safeguard the well-being of society by defining and addressing offenses against individuals, property, statutes, inchoate actions, and financial integrity, ensuring the protection of rights and imposing suitable penalties for convicted offenders.
Crimes Against an Individual
Crimes against persons or individuals can include, the use, attempt, or threat of physical violence, threats, or any other form of abuse.
Such violations include homicide; assaults; kidnappings; false imprisonment; abductions; robbery, rape; sexual assault, harassment, exploitation, or prostitution.
This particular crime often carries severe penalties for offenders. However, the punishment often varies under each applicable Federal, State, or Tribal law.
Crime on property
Property crime falls under the category involving private property such as theft, burglary, vandalism, larceny, arson, shoplifting, arson, or motor vehicle theft.
In other words, the main intent of this sort of crime is to benefit or enrich the perpetrator by illegally obtaining property or money.
Crime on a property is divided into either stolen or destroyed property, and this can be through force or threats.
Statutory Crimes
A statute crime is one that violates state or federal law. In other words, these crimes are punishable under different statutes or governmental entities. However, it’s worth pointing out that only a few statutes overlap each other.
Some statutory crimes involve either personal or property offenses such as DUI or alcohol-related offenses. For instance, driving under the influence is risky and among the main causes of road fatalities. Additionally, what to do at the scene truck accident is usually pivotal if you intend to file a lawsuit.
For starters, immediately call the police, next is to go for medical treatment then lastly, hire an experienced lawyer to represent your interest in court or help you file claims and follow up with insurance companies.
Inchoate Crimes
Inchoate, preliminary, or incomplete crimes are offenses committed in preparation for or an attempt to commit other crimes.
Although this particular crime doesn’t involve actual harm, its illegality points to the potential harm it would have caused.
In simpler terms, this offense typically leans more on the intended crime. Inchoate crimes fundamentally revolve around attempts, solicitation, or conspiracy.
Financial crimes
Any criminal activity involving money, financial services, or financial markets is considered a financial crime. Their basis includes misconduct, fraud, handling crime proceeds, misuse of financial market-related information, or financing of terrorism.
Quite often financial crimes involve deception or false pretense to illegally obtain money.
However, the most common financial offense under this category is white-collar crime. Cybercrime, tax evasion, money laundering, embezzlement, and blackmail are all forms of offenses listed under financial crimes.
Final remarks
Criminal law’s main objective is to prohibit any illegal acts. It’s therefore key for the plaintiff to prove the guilty act or the actus reus.
Additionally, proof of the intent to do something bad or men’s rea is also necessary for a court of law.
Therefore, both the actus reus and the men’s rea should have occurred at the moment of crime and not sequentially at a different timeframe.