Crime Definitions

Assault & Battery

Assault is the threat or attempt to physically harm someone, while battery is the actual act of physical violence. These two crimes often occur together and thus are often charged together.

Domestic Violence

Physical or psychological abuse and/or negligence perpetrated against a member of a household by another usually spouses.

Drunk Driving

Driving while under the influence of alcohol. There are laws prohibiting driving under the influence of other substances.

Drug Offenses

A wide range of crimes dealing with the use, distribution, possession, or command of any controlled substance, or illegally used or distributed prescription medication.

Embezzlement

The theft or misappropriation of assets that belong to an employer, company, or governing body, but are entrusted to the person(s) committing the: crime.

Extortion

The act of or attempt to take assets from another person through intimidation, coercion, or other threats. Actual procurement of the assets is not required for the crime to be considered extortion.

Fraud

Deceit with the intent of depriving someone of his/her property.

Illegal Possession of Weapons

The unlawful possession of any banned weapon, including various knives, automatic weapons, and others. Can also include the unlawful possession of any weapon at all by a person specifically not allowed to possess one, such as a convicted felon.

Murder

The intentional killing of one person by another. In most jurisdictions, any planned murder, or any death occurring during the course of a crime is considered first-degree murder, and all others are considered second-degree murder.

Molestation

Any lewd or lascivious act perpetrated against a child up to 18 years old, including sexual touching, flashing, rape, pornography, and exposure to sexually explicit materials.

Probation Violations

Any violation of restrictions imposed on a person as a condition of his/her probation.

Rape

Forced sexual intercourse against the victims will, usually accomplished by means of duress, menace, violence, or force.

Sex Crimes

Any illegal sexual behavior, including incest, indecent exposure, rape, molestation, sexual assault, sexual abuse, statutory rape, necrophilia, bestiality, and more.

Theft

The illegal, non-consensual taking of another persons property. This term is sometimes used as an umbrella term encompassing larceny, burglary, embezzlement, looting, and similar crimes.

Vehicular Manslaughter

Causing the death of a person through the reckless, negligent, or illegal use of a motor vehicle.