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Simple English definitions for legal terms
crime
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A quick definition of crime:
A crime is when someone does something that is against the law and can be punished. The law says what things are crimes and what the punishment should be. Some crimes are really bad and some are not as bad. People who work for the government, like lawyers, try to make sure that people who commit crimes are punished. Crimes can be big or small, and there are rules for how they are dealt with.
A more thorough explanation:
A crime is an action or behavior that is considered wrong and punishable by law. It can be an act or omission that is defined by statutes or common law as deserving of punishment or penalty. Some crimes require the element of intent, while others may be committed based on strict liability.
There are two types of crimes: mala prohibita and mala in se. Mala prohibita crimes are prohibited by law but are not inherently evil, while mala in se crimes are considered inherently evil under general community standards.
Examples of crimes include theft, assault, murder, and drug possession. Parking violations are also considered crimes, but they usually do not require prosecutors to establish intent.
Crimes are prosecuted by government attorneys, such as the Attorney General of the United States, state attorneys general, federal district attorneys, and city attorneys. Crimes are ranked as greater violations of public order (felony) or as lesser violations (misdemeanor), and are adjudicated according to rules of criminal procedure.
For instance, if someone steals something from a store, they have committed a crime and can be punished by law. Similarly, if someone assaults another person, they have also committed a crime and can be punished by law. These examples illustrate how crimes are actions that are considered wrong and punishable by law.