Criminal Law

1. Classification of Crimes
   1. Felonies
      1. Definition and Characteristics
         1. Crimes that are considered severe in nature
         2. Generally involve significant harm to individuals or society
      2. Types of Common Felonies
         1. Murder and manslaughter
            1. First-degree murder
               1. Premeditated and intentional killing
            2. Second-degree murder
               1. Intentional killing that is not premeditated
         2. Rape and sexual assault
         3. Robbery
            1. Armed robbery
            2. Strongarm robbery (without weapon)
         4. Burglary
            1. Breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime inside
         5. Aggravated assault
            1. Assault causing serious bodily harm
         6. Kidnapping
            1. Unlawful confinement and transportation of a person
         7. Arson
            1. Deliberate setting fire to property
      3. Legal Consequences
         1. Imprisonment for more than one year
         2. Possibility of life imprisonment or death penalty
         3. Permanent criminal record
      4. Implications on Rights and Civil Status
         1. Loss of voting rights
         2. Restriction from holding certain public offices or jobs
         3. Difficulty obtaining professional licenses
   2. Misdemeanors
      1. Definition and Characteristics
         1. Offenses considered less serious than felonies
         2. Typically cause less harm to society or individuals
      2. Types of Common Misdemeanors
         1. Petty theft
            1. Shoplifting
         2. Simple assault
            1. Minor bodily injury or threat
         3. Disorderly conduct
            1. Public disturbance or nuisance
         4. Criminal trespass
            1. Entering or remaining on property without permission
         5. DUI (Driving under the influence)
         6. Vandalism
            1. Damaging property without permission
      3. Legal Consequences
         1. Imprisonment for less than one year
         2. Fines or community service
         3. Temporary criminal record
      4. Implications on Employment and Education
         1. Might affect employment opportunities depending on industry
         2. Potential impact on educational prospects
   3. Infractions
      1. Definition and Characteristics
         1. Violations of rules or laws that are less serious
         2. Often involve breaches of local ordinances or codes
      2. Types of Common Infractions
         1. Traffic violations
            1. Speeding
            2. Running a red light
         2. Noise violations
         3. Jaywalking
         4. Littering
      3. Legal Consequences
         1. Usually punishable by fines
         2. Rarely involve imprisonment
         3. Do not result in a criminal record
      4. Role in Regulatory Enforcement
         1. Serve as deterrents for minor rule violations
         2. Often managed by administrative agencies rather than courts
   4. Hybrid or Wobbler Crimes
      1. Definition and Characteristics
         1. Crimes that can be charged as either a felony or a misdemeanor
         2. Decision based on circumstances of the offense and offender's history
      2. Examples of Hybrid Crimes
         1. Assault with a deadly weapon
         2. Theft involving significant value but not exceeding felony thresholds
      3. Factors Influencing Charge Decision
         1. Severity of the offense
         2. Prior criminal record
         3. Impact on victims
      4. Legal Flexibility
         1. Allows prosecutors to negotiate plea bargains
         2. Provides courts with options for appropriate sentencing
   5. Crime Severity and Classification Distinctions
      1. Impact on Sentencing
         1. More serious classification leads to harsher penalties
      2. Role in Plea Bargains
         1. Charges may be downgraded for cooperation or plea deals
      3. Importance in Criminal Records
         1. Impacts future charges and sentencing enhancements
      4. Variations Across Jurisdictions
         1. Differences in what constitutes a felony, misdemeanor, or infraction
         2. State-specific or country-specific nuances in classification