Chapter Seven Law

Crime in the United States encompasses a wide range of offenses, but they can generally be categorized into several main types. Property crimes involve unlawful interference with another person’s property. This category includes burglary, which is the illegal entry into a building or structure with the intent to commit theft or another crime. It also encompasses larceny/theft, which is the unlawful taking of someone else’s property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it, as well as robbery, which involves using force, threats, or intimidation to take property from another person. Additionally, motor vehicle theft is considered a property crime.

Violent crimes, on the other hand, entail the use of force or the threat of force against another person. This category encompasses homicide, which is the unlawful killing of another person and can be classified as murder (with intent) or manslaughter (without intent). Assault, which involves physically attacking or threatening to harm another person, is another form of violent crime. Rape and sexual assault are also considered violent crimes, as they involve non-consensual sexual acts or contact.

Drug offenses are another significant category of crime in the United States. These crimes involve the unlawful possession, distribution, manufacturing, or trafficking of controlled substances, including illegal drugs and prescription medications.

White-collar crimes are non-violent crimes typically committed by individuals or organizations in positions of trust or authority. Common examples include fraud, which entails deceptive practices to obtain money, goods, or services illegally, embezzlement, which involves misappropriating funds entrusted to one’s care, identity theft, which is the act of stealing someone’s personal information for fraudulent purposes, and money laundering, which refers to concealing the origins of illegally obtained money.