MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT FELONIES
Felonies
A felony is the greatest possible violation of
the law, and is punishable by incarceration
exceeding one year, fines greater than $1000, or
both. Those charged with a felony offense have a
right to a jury trial.
Examples of
Felonies:
Arson
Arson is the intentional burning of another’s
home or business. However, in many states the law
extends to the burning of any building or
structure which receives substantial damage as a
result of the fire. The law is limited to the use
of fire alone, not the use of fire-like or
fire-causing entities, such as explosives.
Assault and
Battery
Assault and Battery is the imminent threat,
aroused fear of intentional injury, or completed
action of physically hurting another. Many
consider assault to be the act of threatening, and
battery to be the completed injury, but most
states no longer employ the distinction.
Aggravated assault or battery are more serious
offenses, and typically include extreme injury to
the victim, use of a deadly weapon, or an attack
on a woman, child, or law enforcement
official.
Burglary
Burglary is the unlawful breaking and entering
of another’s dwelling with the intention of
committing any crime therein, not just theft.
“Breaking and entering” is a very loose term, and
in most states includes simply opening an unlocked
entrance. Even if one enters another’s dwelling
and does not succeed in completing the intended
crime, he or she can still be charged with
burglary.
Fraud
In the United States there is s very broad
category of crimes that are known as fraud. In
general, fraud is the intentional distortion of
the truth with the intention of leading another to
surrender their property or a legal right. Types
of fraud include credit and debit card fraud,
securities fraud, wire fraud, telemarketing fraud,
and tax fraud.
Grand Theft or
Grand Larceny
Theft or larceny is the taking of another’s
property without their consent with the intention
of permanently depriving them of that property or
benefits that proceed from that property. Grand
theft or larceny is defined by the value of the
property taken, which can vary from state to state
(typically, anything exceeding $200 to $1000).
Grand
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is the intentional transfer of
another’s property or money by a person who has an
understood protection or responsibility over those
assets. This is different from larceny in that the
violator is allowed by the owner of the assets
access and use, whereas larceny involves no
consent of use by the owner. Like theft and
larceny, the label “grand” is merited by value of
the property, which varies from state to
state.
Manslaughter
There are two degrees of manslaughter:
involuntary and voluntary. Involuntary
manslaughter, otherwise known as criminally
negligent homicide, is the killing of another
without the intention of causing that death.
Manslaughter can result from recklessness,
negligence, or as the unforeseen result of
committing another low-level crime, such as drunk
driving. Voluntary manslaughter is the killing of
another proceeding from intense inflammation of
passion due to extremely disturbing circumstances.
These circumstances must be distressing enough to
lead an ordinary, reasonable person to lose self
control, such as an imminent and deadly threat to
oneself. The act must also be committed
immediately after the provocation; otherwise the
act can be seen as premeditated.
Murder
Murder is the killing of another with the
intent to kill or severely injure. There are two
degrees of murder: first degree and second degree.
First degree murder must be premeditated, or
planned in advance. The law on first degree murder
has also been expanded in some states to include
the committing of another felony resulting in the
death of another, such as arson or burglary.
Second degree murder is the intentional killing of
another that is not necessarily premeditated or
planned, but is not done in the “heat of passion”
like voluntary manslaughter.
Rape
Rape is the intentional carnal knowledge of
another without their consent. This can be
committed by force, perceived physical threat, or
the inducement of emotional or mental duress. Many
states also have a law forbidding “statutory rape”
which is the carnal knowledge, both consensual and
nonconsensual, of a minor. Under the law, a minor
is technically incapable of giving consent.
Robbery
Robbery is the intentional taking of another’s
property by the use of physical force or
incitement of fear. Unlike theft, the victim has
to be present for the offense to occur. All forms
of robbery are considered felonies throughout the
United States.
Terrorism
Terrorism is a very broad term encompassing a
wide variety of actions. Generally, it is thought
to include using the destruction of property,
resulting death or injury of others due to that
destruction, or the intentional killing or injury
of another to induce fear into a particular
government or group of people. The punishments
prescribed by several anti-terrorism acts can
extend to citizens of other countries who perform
these acts, but not necessarily those acting upon
an order from another country’s official
government.
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