Criminal Charges +
Harassment
"Harassment" refers to a broad number of behaviors that are subject to both criminal punishment and civil liability. On the criminal side, states have a wide variety of criminal laws forbidding harassment in many forms, including general harassment crimes as well as specific forms of harassment, such as stalking and cyberstalking.
Shoplifting
"Shoplifting" generally refers to the theft of merchandise from a store or place of business. Shoplifting is a type of larceny, which simply means taking the property of someone else without their permission, and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the property taken. Though states may punish shoplifting under their general larceny or theft statutes, many states have enacted statutes to specifically address shoplifting. States may refer to the crime by different names, including "retail theft" and "concealment of merchandise."
White Collar Crime
"White collar crime" can describe a wide variety of crimes, but they all typically involve crime committed through deceit and motivated by financial gain. The most common white collar crimes are various types of fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion and money laundering. Many types of scams and frauds fall into the bucket of white collar crime, including Ponzi schemes and securities fraud such as insider trading. More common crimes, like insurance fraud and tax evasion, also constitute white collar crimes
Aiding and Abetting/Accessory
A criminal charge of "aiding and abetting" or accessory can usually be brought against anyone who helps in the commission of a crime, though legal distinctions vary by state. A person charged with these accomplice crimes is usually not present when the crime itself is committed, but he or she has knowledge of the crime before or after the fact, and may assist in its commission through advice, actions, or financial support. Depending on the degree of involvement, the offender's participation in the crime may rise to the level of conspiracy.
Conspiracy
A criminal conspiracy exists when two or more people agree to commit almost any unlawful act, then take some action toward its completion. The action taken need not itself be a crime, but it must indicate that those involved in the conspiracy knew of the plan and intended to break the law. A person may be convicted of conspiracy even if the actual crime was never committed.
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a criminal offense that is less serious than a felony and more serious than an infraction. Misdemeanors are generally punishable by a fine and incarceration in a local county jail, unlike infractions which impose no jail time. Many jurisdictions separate misdemeanors into three classes: high or gross misdemeanors, ordinary misdemeanors, and petty misdemeanors. Petty misdemeanors usually contemplate a jail sentence of less than six months and a fine of $500 or less.
Probation Violation
A probation violation is an offense that occurs when you break the terms or conditions of your probation. The punishment for probation violation usually depends on a variety of factors, such as the nature and seriousness of the violation, whether you have any prior violations, and whether there are other circumstances that may lessen (or worsen) the severity of the situation. A probation violation sentence may result in significant penalties, such as heavy fines, extended probation, jail time, or more.
Aggravated Assault
Aggravated assault is an attempt to cause serious bodily harm to an individual with disregard for human life. Factors that raise an assault to the aggravated level typically include the use of a weapon, the status of the victim, the intent of the perpetrator, and the degree of injury caused.
Disorderly Conduct
Almost every state has a disorderly conduct law making it a crime to be drunk in public, "disturb the peace," or loiter in certain areas. Since the statutes are often used as "catch-all" crimes, many types of obnoxious or unruly conduct may fit the definition. Generally speaking, police often use a disorderly conduct charge to keep the peace when a person is behaving in a disruptive manner, but presents no serious public danger.
Infraction
An infraction, sometimes called a petty offense, is the violation of an administrative regulation, an ordinance, a municipal code, and, in some jurisdictions, a state or local traffic rule. In most states an infraction isn't considered a criminal offense and is rarely punishable by incarceration. Instead, such jurisdictions treat infractions as civil offenses. Even in jurisdictions that treat infractions as criminal offenses, incarceration is not usually contemplated as punishment. But when it is, confinement is limited to serving time in a local jail.
Open Container
An open container law restricts where people can drink alcohol in public. Exactly what a public place is depends on your state or city's laws, and how courts have interpreted those laws. Public drinking laws are designed to protect communities by reducing injuries from drunk driving (DUI and DWI) and disorderly conduct.
Arson
Arson is defined as the willful and malicious burning or charring of property. There are many types of arson crimes, including setting fire to one's property with fraudulent intent--like when someone burns their house to collect insurance money. While the majority of arson crimes involve damage to buildings, arson can also be committed by a person who sets fire to forest land or a boat. Arson statutes typically classify arson as a felony due to the potential to cause injuries or death.
Bribery
Bribery is the offer or acceptance of anything of value in exchange for influence on a government/public official or employee. In general, bribes can take the form of gifts or payments of money in exchange for favorable treatment, such as awards of government contracts. Other forms of bribes may include property, various goods, privileges, services and favors.
Burglary
Burglary is typically defined as the unlawful entry into almost any structure (not just a home or business) with the intent to commit any crime inside (not just theft/larceny). No physical breaking and entering is required; the offender may simply trespass through an open door. Unlike robbery, which involves use of force or fear to obtain another person's property, there is usually no victim present during a burglary.
Child Abandonment
Child abandonment occurs when a parent, guardian, or person in charge of a child either deserts a child without any regard for the child's physical health, safety or welfare and with the intention of wholly abandoning the child, or in some instances, fails to provide necessary care for a child living under their roof.
Child Abuse
Child abuse is broadly defined as any type of cruelty inflicted upon a child, including physical or emotional harm, endangerment, abandonment, neglect or sexual abuse. Severe punishments exist for offenders. Child services agencies also investigate reports of maltreatment and can remove children from unsafe or unhealthy environments. This combination of criminal prohibitions and protective services forms the basis of child abuse laws, which vary somewhat from state to state.
Computer Crime
Computer crime describes a very broad category of offenses. Some of them are the same as non-computer offenses, such as larceny or fraud, except that a computer or the Internet is used in the commission of the crime. Others, like hacking, are uniquely related to computers.
Contempt of Court
Contempt of court generally refers to conduct that defies, disrespects, or insults the authority or dignity of a court. Often, contempt takes the form of actions that are seen as detrimental to the court's ability to administer justice.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit and debit card fraud is a form of identity theft that involves an unauthorized taking of another's credit card information for the purpose of charging purchases to the account or removing funds from it. This theft can occur physically when the actual credit and debit card is taken, or the theft can occur when just the numbers are stolen from an unprotected website or a card reader at a gas station.
Drug Cultivation and Manufacturing
Cultivating or manufacturing illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine or marijuana, is illegal under federal and state laws (with limited exceptions for marijuana in certain states). Drug "manufacturing," in a criminal law setting, occurs when an individual is involved in any step of the illicit drug production process. Those who sell certain precursor chemicals, specialized equipment, or simply offer to help produce drugs also may be charged with the crime.
Disturbing the Peace
Disturbing the peace, also known as breach of the peace, is a criminal offense that occurs when a person engages in some form of unruly public behavior, such as fighting or causing excessively loud noise. When a person's words or conduct jeopardizes another person's right to peace and tranquility, he or she may be charged with disturbing the peace.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence refers to violent or abusive acts committed by one family or household member against another, such as child abuse or spousal abuse. Domestic violence can refer to physical harm, or behavior that is controlling, coercive, or threatening. It can occur in any kind of intimate relationship -- married or unmarried, straight or gay, living together, or simply dating.
Drug Trafficking and Drug Distribution
Drug trafficking is selling, transporting or importing illegal drugs. Another name for this crime is drug distribution.
Robbery
Essentially, robbery is theft accomplished by violence or the threat of it. Unlike theft or burglary, the crime of robbery almost always requires the presence of a victim who is threatened with bodily harm. If a weapon such as a gun is used or the victim suffers injury, the robbery may be charged as "armed" or "aggravated."
Drug Possession
Federal and state drug possession laws make it a crime to willfully possess illegal controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, "club drugs," and heroin. These laws also criminalize the possession of "precursor" chemicals used in drug cultivation and manufacturing, as well as certain accessories related to drug use. However, what constitutes drug possession can vary according to the type of drug, the amount, and the geographic area where the offense took place.
Child Pornography
Federal and state laws make it a crime to produce, distribute, or even just possess pornographic materials that portray a minor (someone under the age of 18). Increasingly, child pornography laws are being relied on to punish individuals who use the internet to share or obtain pornographic images and videos involving children.
Felony
Felonies are the most serious class of criminal offense. They are generally defined as crimes punishable by imprisonment of more than one year, and the prison sentences are usually served in a federal or state penitentiary rather than a county jail. Some examples of felonies include murder, rape, burglary, kidnapping and arson.
Forgery
Forgery involves a false document, signature, or other imitation of an object of value used with the intent to deceive another. Those who commit forgery are often charged with the crime of fraud. Documents that can be the object of forgery include contracts, identification cards, and legal certificates. Most states require that forgery be done with the intent to commit fraud or larceny. The most common form of forgery is signing someone else's name to a check. Objects, data and documents can also be forged. Legal contracts, historical papers, art objects, diplomas, licenses, certificates and identification cards can be forged. Currency and consumer goods can also be forged, but this crime is usually referred to as counterfeiting
Fraud
Fraud is a broad term that refers to acts intended to swindle someone. In essence, it's the use of intentional deception for monetary or personal gain. Thousands of people each year fall victim to it. Fraud always includes a false statement, misrepresentation or deceitful conduct. The purpose is to gain something of value, usually money, by misleading or deceiving someone into believing something that the perpetrator knows to be false.
Securities Fraud
Generally, securities fraud occurs when someone makes a false statement about a company or the value of its stock, and others makes financial decisions based on the false information. In cases of insider trading, insiders (i.e. executives, board members, etc.) buy or sell stocks based on information that isn't available to the public. Although the crime itself isn't complicated, securities fraud can be particularly difficult to grasp if you lack an understanding of securities regulation.
Hate Crime
Hate crime is the violence of intolerance and bigotry, intended to hurt and intimidate someone because of their race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. A hate crime (also known as a bias crime) is a criminal offense where the purveyors of hate can use explosives, arson, weapons, vandalism, physical violence, and verbal threats of violence to instill fear in their victims, leaving them vulnerable to more attacks and feeling alienated, helpless, suspicious, and fearful.
Identity Theft
Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.
Tax Evasion/Fraud
If you intentionally fail to pay taxes or underreport your taxable income, you could be charged with tax evasion. While it's certainly a crime in and of itself, it's also commonly charged against those suspected of certain organized crimes where the source of their income is in doubt.
Assault/Battery
In most states, an assault/battery is committed when one person: 1) tries to or does physically strike another, or 2) acts in a threatening manner to put another in fear of immediate harm. Many states have a separate category for "aggravated" assault/battery when severe injury or the use of a deadly weapon are involved. Assaults and batteries can also be pursued via civil lawsuits (as opposed to criminal prosecution). In short, an assault is an attempt or threat to injure another person, while battery is the act of making contact with another person in a harmful or offensive manner.
First-Degree Murder
In most states, first-degree murder is defined as an unlawful killing that is both willful and premeditated, meaning that it was committed after planning or "lying in wait" for the victim.
Indecent Exposure
Indecent exposure laws in most states make it a crime to purposefully display one's genitals in public, causing others to be alarmed or offended. While the motive will vary from person to person, indecent exposure is often committed for the sexual gratification of the offender or to entice a sexual response.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud occurs most often when an insured individual or entity makes a false or exaggerated insurance claim, seeking compensation for injuries or losses that weren't actually suffered. This type of crime also can be committed upon customers through the sale of unlicensed or bogus insurance coverage to unsuspecting clients, or an insurance broker or agent's diversion or theft of insurance premiums paid by clients.
Involuntary Manslaughter
Involuntary manslaughter usually refers to an unintentional killing that results from criminal negligence or recklessness, or from committing an offense such as a DUI.
Telemarketing Fraud
Many scams take place over the phone, often with the lure of a possible "grand prize" or some other way of keeping you on the line. Scammers often try to extract sensitive information from their victims, such as Social Security numbers, or may try to sell you something with no intention of actually delivering and every intention of taking your money.
MIP: Minor in Possession
Many states have laws concerning alcohol and drugs found in the possession of minors, regardless of whether they were using the substances. These are often referred to as "minor in possession" or "MIP" laws. Some states strictly enforce MIP laws and prosecute minors to the fullest extent of the law. In other states, however, a minor in an MIP case may be able to receive probation by entering a court-ordered diversionary program (similar to those offered to DUI offenders), getting medical help, and staying out of trouble.
Medical Marijuana
Medical marijuana laws are constantly changing and vary among geographical location. Both federal and state laws make it a crime to use, grow, sell, or possess marijuana. A growing number of states, however, have legalized the use and/or cultivation of marijuana for medical (and even recreational) purposes, thereby removing any criminal penalties from doctors who prescribe the drug or from patients who use it within the bounds set by state law.
Money Laundering
Money laundering statutes make it a crime to transfer money derived from almost any criminal activity (including organized crime, white-collar offenses, terrorist activities, and drug transactions) into seemingly legitimate channels, in an attempt to disguise the origin of the funds.
Homicide
Not all homicides are crimes. However, all killings of humans are included in the homicide definition. Many homicides, such as murder and manslaughter, violate criminal laws. Others, such as a killing committed in justified self-defense, are not criminal. Illegal killings range from manslaughter to murder, with multiple degrees of each representing the gravity of the crime.
Public Intoxication
Public intoxication, also called public drunkenness, is a misdemeanor crime that a person is visibly drunk or under the influence of drugs in public. These laws exist to prevent people from disturbing others in public and to remove people who appear to be unable to stop themselves from hurting themselves or others.
Racketeering
Racketeering is when organized groups run illegal businesses, known as "rackets," or when an organized crime ring uses legitimate organizations to embezzle funds. According to the Racketeer Influenced and Corruptions Act (RICO), examples of racketeering include criminal operations such as illegal gambling, prostitution rings, drug trafficking, counterfeiting, embezzlement, and extortion.
Second-Degree Murder
Second degree murder is generally defined as intentional murder that lacks premeditation, is intended to only cause bodily harm, and demonstrates an extreme indifference to human life.
DUI/Drunk Driving
Several state statutes require a person to be driving a vehicle in order to be convicted of a drunk driving offense. Officers generally use three types of evidence to determine whether a driver was under the influence: field evidence, driver evidence, and blood-alcohol evidence.
Third-Degree Murder
Someone can be accused of third-degree murder if they unintentionally cause someone else's death while committing a dangerous act. This is different from first-degree and second-degree murder charges, where intent is generally required.
Sexual Assault
Specific laws vary by state, but sexual assault generally refers to any crime in which the offender subjects the victim to sexual touching that is unwanted and offensive. These crimes can range from sexual groping or assault/battery, to attempted rape. All states prohibit this type of assault but the exact definitions of the crimes that fall within the category of sexual assault differ from state to state.
Statutory Rape
Statutory rape refers to sexual relations involving someone below the "age of consent." People who are underage cannot legally consent to having sex, so any form of sexual activity with them violates the law. This is true even in situations where they signal their agreement. While the crime is popularly called statutory rape, many states don't use that term officially but instead classify it as sexual assault, corruption of a minor, or carnal knowledge of a child. Most laws on this subject are state rather than federal ones.
Embezzlement
The crime of embezzlement was created to fill a loophole in the theft/larceny statutes of English law. In old English law theft/larceny required a trespass, but there is no trespass with embezzlement. The person who embezzles is in lawful possession of the money or property, they just don't give it back to the owner or use it for unauthorized purposes.
Wire Fraud
The crime of fraud can take many forms. Scams that take place over interstate wires, such as telemarketing fraud, phishing, or spam-related schemes, are all called wire fraud. Federal wire fraud is a federal offense and is typically investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but state laws and charges can also apply. The definition of wire fraud is rather broad and includes any writings, signs, signals, pictures or sounds transmitted by wire, radio or television in interstate or foreign commerce. Federal prosecutors often charge persons with wire fraud in order to bring federal charges against them, typically when the crimes committed would only be subject to state laws.
Rape
The crime of rape generally refers to non-consensual sexual intercourse that is committed by physical force, threat of injury, or other duress. Common law defined rape as unlawful intercourse by a man against a woman who is not his wife by force or threat and against her will. However, most states have refined and broadened the statutory definition of rape so that marriage, gender, and force are not relevant. The victim's lack of consent is the crucial element. A lack of consent can include the victim's inability, due to the effects of drugs or alcohol, to say "no."
Solicitation
The crime of solicitation is requesting, encouraging or demanding someone to engage in criminal conduct, with the intent to facilitate or contribute to the commission of that crime. Commonly, solicitation often is linked to prostitutionwith the crime being the request of someone to engage in sex for money.
Stalking
The crime of stalking can be simply described as the unwanted pursuit of another person. Examples of this type of behavior includes following a person, appearing at a person's home or place of business, making harassing phone calls, leaving written messages or objects, or vandalizing a person's property. By its nature, stalking is not a one-time event, but rather a pattern of behavior meant to cause harm or distress. The individual's actions must be considered in connection with other actions to determine if someone is being stalked. It includes repeated harassing or threatening behavior toward another person, whether that person is a total stranger, slight acquaintance, current or former intimate partner, or anyone else.
Attempt
The definitions for criminal attempt -- in which the defendant ultimately fails to pull off the crime -- vary from state to state. But generally, attempted offenses occur when an individual has an actual intent to commit a crime (in legal terms, specific intent), and takes direct action toward completion of the crime. Once a crime is completed, then those charges would apply and the attempt would not be charged.
Cyberbullying
The term "cyberbullying" refers to the use of Internet and/or mobile technology to harass, intimidate, or cause harm to another. Although bullying is hardly a new problem, it has moved from the schoolyard to social networking sites such as Facebook, emails, and mobile text messages. Nearly all states have bullying laws in place, many with cyberbullying or electronic harassment provisions.
Theft
The term theft is used widely to refer to crimes involving the taking of a person's property without their permission. But theft has a very broad legal meaning which may encompass more than one category, and multiple degrees, of crimes.
Pyramid Scheme
These types of scams follow a predictable formula. Usually, one person, known as the "recruiter," will create a fraudulent business which requires others to pay a fee to join. The people he recruits to the business then recruit others to join as well, and pocket the fees (often with fees paid to the recruiter as well). This cycle of recruitment is supposed to continue indefinitely, so that everyone who joins the "business" will continue to receive the recruitment fees of the newest recruits. The problem with successful pyramids is that, eventually, there will be no one left to join the pyramid, and those already in the scheme will lose their investment.
Perjury
To "perjure" yourself is to knowingly make misleading or false statements under oath or to sign a legal document you know to be false or misleading. This crime is taken very seriously because the foundation of the legal system depends on trust and credibility. After all, just one sworn statement has the power to tip the scales of justice and dramatically alter someone's life. Perjury is considered a crime against justice, since lying under oath compromises the authority of courts, grand juries, governing bodies, and public officials. Other crimes against justice include criminal contempt of court, probation violation, and tampering with evidence.
Kidnapping
Under federal and state law, kidnapping is commonly defined as the taking of a person from one place to another against their will, or the confinement of a person to a controlled space. Some kidnapping laws require that the taking or confinement be for an unlawful purpose, such as extortion or the facilitation of another crime. Additionally, a parent without legal custody rights may be charged with kidnapping for taking their own child in certain circumstances.
Vandalism
Vandalism laws are designed to prohibit conduct that has the potential to cost states millions of dollars each year in clean-up efforts, and may cause psychological or emotional damage to property owners as well. When a person defaces, alters, or otherwise destroys someone's property, they may be required to clean-up, repair, or replace the damaged property or, more substantially, face criminal penalties in the form of jail time, fines, or both.
Voluntary Manslaughter
Voluntary manslaughter is commonly defined as an intentional killing in which the offender had no prior intent to kill, such as a killing that occurs in the "heat of passion." The circumstances leading to the killing must be the kind that would cause a reasonable person to become emotionally or mentally disturbed; otherwise, the killing may be charged as a first-degree or second-degree murder.
Extortion
extortion is the crime of obtaining money or property by threat to a victim's property or loved ones, intimidation, or false claim of a right.
Prostitution
prostitution is the exchange of a sexual act for money. State laws have expanded the definition to make it a crime to offer, agree to, or engage in a sexual act for compensation of any kind.
