Crime Types and Classifications Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What determines whether theft or fraud is categorized as a misdemeanor or felony?

  • The amount of compensation provided to the victim
  • The value of the property stolen and the method of the crime (correct)
  • The relationship between the perpetrator and the victim
  • The criminal history of the defendant

Which of the following is classified as a felony?

  • Possessing a small amount of illegal drugs
  • Disorderly conduct in public
  • Robbery involving the use of force (correct)
  • Trespassing on private property

How is the burden of proof in civil cases different from that in criminal cases?

  • Civil cases require a higher standard of evidence
  • Civil cases need a 99.9% evidence standard
  • Criminal cases can be decided with less evidence
  • Criminal cases require proof beyond a reasonable doubt (correct)

Which crime would typically be elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony?

<p>A crime against a minor child (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of drug-related crimes?

<p>Distributing illegal drugs in large amounts is typically a felony (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a felony crime in most states?

<p>A crime punishable by more than one year in prison (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following crimes is classified as a misdemeanor?

<p>Use of a false ID (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a summary offense?

<p>An offense punishable by a ticket and fine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a crime against the person?

<p>Burglary (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification of a crime that involves the intentional destruction of property?

<p>Misdemeanor or felony based on damage value (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors can influence whether a crime is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor?

<p>Aggravating factors related to the crime (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which crime would likely be classified as a felony due to its serious nature?

<p>Kidnapping (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What defines a petty offense within the misdemeanor classification?

<p>A minor offense punishable only by fine or short jail time (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Misdemeanor vs. Felony

Misdemeanors are less serious crimes, usually punishable by fines or less than a year in jail. Felonies are more serious, resulting in bigger penalties, such as significant fines or more than a year in jail.

Theft/Fraud Crime Severity

The seriousness (misdemeanor or felony) of theft/fraud crimes depends on the value of the stolen item and the crime's method.

Fraud Crime Definition

Fraud involves deception to cause financial harm to someone.

Crime Against Public Order

Crimes harming society, including disorderly conduct, lewdness, and prostitution.

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Criminal Burden of Proof

Criminal cases require 'beyond a reasonable doubt' (very strong evidence) to prove guilt.

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Felony definition

A serious crime, usually punishable by more than a year in prison.

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Misdemeanor definition

A less serious crime, usually punishable by less than a year in prison.

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Capital crime

A felony punishable by death.

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Example of a felony

Murder, rape, burglary, kidnapping, arson, and robbery are common examples of felonies.

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Example of a misdemeanor

Public intoxication, trespassing, speeding, prostitution, vandalism, and use of a false ID are common examples of misdemeanors.

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Crime against the person

A crime involving direct harm or force against a victim, often a felony.

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Crime against property

A crime involving damage or intrusion on the property of another, often with varying degrees of severity.

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Summary/ticketable offense

An offense punishable by a fine, this may escalate based on repetition

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Study Notes

Crime Types and Classifications

  • Felonies: Serious crimes punishable by more than one year in prison. Some states consider any crime with a jail sentence a felony. Capital crimes are felonies punishable by death. Common felony examples include murder, rape, burglary, kidnapping, arson, and robbery.

Misdemeanors

  • Misdemeanors: Less serious crimes, typically punishable by less than one year in prison or fines. Some states classify any crime leading to only a fine or short jail time as a misdemeanor. Minor offenses like jaywalking may be "petty offenses," a subset of misdemeanors. Common misdemeanors include public intoxication, trespassing, speeding, prostitution, vandalism, and using a false ID. The classification can vary based on aggravating factors like the value of stolen property, for example.

Summary/Ticketable Offenses

  • Summary/Ticketable: Offenses punishable by fines and tickets. Repeated convictions of summary offenses can lead to harsher penalties.

Crimes against the Person

  • Crimes against the Person: Crimes involving direct harm or force against the victim. Usually the most serious crimes, like murder and rape are felonies, however, less severe crimes like assault without a weapon may be misdemeanors.

Crimes against Property

  • Crimes against Property: Crimes that damage or infringe on another's property. Burglary and arson are generally felonies. Criminal mischief ratings (misdemeanor or felony) depend on the damages' value. Criminal trespass is usually a misdemeanor.

Theft and Fraud Crimes

  • Theft and Fraud: These crimes involve illegally taking property. Whether a theft or fraud crime is a misdemeanor or felony depends on the stolen property's value and the crime's method. Fraud involves using deception to cause financial harm. Robbery (taking property by force) is a felony.

Crimes against Public Order

  • Crimes against Public Order: Crimes that harm the community. Examples include disorderly conduct, public lewdness, prostitution. Crimes are normally misdemeanors, though misdemeanors involving minor children may be elevated to felonies.
  • Drug-Related Crimes: These involve manufacture, possession, distribution, and sale. Possession of a small amount of illegal drugs is usually a misdemeanor, but large-scale distribution is often a felony.

Civil vs. Criminal Law

  • Criminal Law: Violations punishable by fines, imprisonment, and the burden of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt" (99.9% evidence).
  • Civil Law: Disputes between individuals, not involving criminal violations. Burden of proof is "preponderance of the evidence" (50.1% evidence).

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