Legal Definitions - rap

In legal contexts, the term "rap" is an informal expression used to refer to several aspects of criminal proceedings:

• Legal Responsibility for a Criminal Act

  This refers to bearing the blame or consequences for a criminal offense, often implying that someone is accepting responsibility, sometimes on behalf of others.

  • Example 1: During an investigation into corporate misconduct, a junior executive agreed to "take the rap" for a series of accounting irregularities, shielding more senior managers from prosecution.

    Explanation: Here, "take the rap" means the junior executive accepted the legal responsibility and potential punishment for actions that might have involved others higher up in the company.

  • Example 2: After a group of teenagers vandalized a public park, one of them, who was already 18, decided to "take the rap" for the entire group, hoping to protect his younger friends from having criminal records.

    Explanation: In this scenario, the 18-year-old voluntarily assumed the full legal blame and consequences for the vandalism committed by the group.

• A Criminal Charge

  This refers to an official accusation made by law enforcement or a prosecutor that an individual has committed a crime.

  • Example 1: Following a dispute, a neighbor found himself facing a "battery rap" after an altercation escalated into physical contact.

    Explanation: "Battery rap" indicates that the neighbor was formally accused of the crime of battery.

  • Example 2: The politician's career was jeopardized when he was hit with a "fraud rap" related to campaign finance violations.

    Explanation: Here, "fraud rap" signifies that official charges of fraud were brought against the politician.

• A Criminal Conviction or Prison Sentence

  This denotes the formal finding of guilt for a crime, often specifically referring to the resulting period of incarceration or other significant punishment.

  • Example 1: After being found guilty of armed robbery, the defendant received a "ten-year rap" in state prison.

    Explanation: A "ten-year rap" directly refers to the ten-year prison sentence imposed as a consequence of the conviction.

  • Example 2: Despite his lawyer's best efforts, the repeat offender was given a "life rap" for his third serious felony conviction under the state's habitual offender laws.

    Explanation: In this context, "life rap" means a life sentence in prison, reflecting the severe punishment for the criminal conviction.