Section 2.1

Crimes and Criminal Justice

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A crime is an act that violates the rules of society, or the law

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

There are three levels of crime:

felonies

misdemeanors

infractions

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A felony is a major crime. It is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.

Examples of felonies are murder, kidnapping, and aggravated assault.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A misdemeanor is a less serious crime. It is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both, but not as severely as a felony.

Minor theft, driving without a license, and simple assault are misdemeanors.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

An infraction is a minor offense. It is punishable by a fine, but not imprisonment.

Speeding and jaywalking are infractions.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

A crime requires two elements:

the criminal act

the required state of mind

To prove a crime occurred does not require proving a motive.

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

Defenses to committing a crime include:

insanity

entrapment

self-defense

defense of family members

Section 2.1 Crimes and Criminal Justice

Entrapment is when a person is tricked by a police officer into committing a crime.