Crimes Against the Person
This general term refers to any unlawful killing of one human being by another.
What is homicide?
The unlawful taking and carrying away of someone else's personal property with the intent to permanently deprive them of it.
What is larceny or theft?
This is a broad category of public order offenses—including gambling, illicit drug possession, and prostitution—punishing conduct deemed harmful to public morals or order, often referred to as "victimless" crimes.
What are vice crimes?
From the Latin meaning "incomplete" or "just begun," this term describes crimes like attempt, conspiracy, and solicitation that are punishable even if the underlying objective is never achieved.
What are inchoate crimes?
This is the common law formulation of the mental state required for murder.
What is specific intent?
A bank teller or company executive who is already in lawful possession of company money, but fraudulently converts it for personal use, commits this crime.
What is embezzlement?
Having illegal drugs or weapons in your immediate physical control (like in your pocket or hand) is known as actual possession; having them in a space you control (like your car trunk or closet) is known as this.
What is constructive possession?
Offering money, asking, encouraging, or commanding another person to commit a felony on your behalf completes this inchoate offense the moment the request is made.
What is solicitation?
This is an unlawful killing committed in the "heat of passion" following adequate legal provocation, which negates the element of malice aforethought.
What is manslaughter?
his specific theft offense occurs when a scammer uses intentional fraud or misrepresentation to obtain both physical possession and legal title/ownership of property.
What is false pretenses theft?
Unlike crimes against the person or property, crimes against the public primary aim to protect this broad societal interest rather than an individual victim.
What is public order, societal safety, or public health/morals?
Under the Model Penal Code standard for criminal attempt, a defendant's actions must go beyond mere preparation and constitute this type of action that strongly corroborates their criminal purpose.
What is a substantial step?
A driver texting at twice the speed limit runs a stop sign and accidentally kills a pedestrian. Because the driver acted with gross negligence or recklessness without intent to kill, they face this specific charge.
What is involuntary manslaughter?
If a scammer uses deceit to obtain physical possession only of property (without gaining legal title or ownership) and runs off with it, they commit this theft crime.
What is larceny by trick?
Charges like disorderly conduct, rioting, or unlawful assembly are designed to balance public safety against this constitutionally protected freedom.
What is the First Amendment (Freedom of Speech / Right to Peaceably Assemble)?
A burglar breaks into a safe believing it holds $10,000 in cash, but the safe is completely empty. Because this defense is not recognized in court, the burglar can still be convicted of attempted larceny.
What is factual impossibility?
This doctrine shields a person from liability for homicide if they intentionally use deadly force under circumstances that make such an action warranted.
What is justifiable homicide?
While both involve taking property, this key legal element is what elevates a basic larceny into a robbery.
What is the use of force, fear, or threat of immediate force against a person?
Under criminal law, an individual who knowingly possesses a controlled substance without a prescription can be charged with possession regardless of whether they intended to sell it, making simple possession this type of liability offense regarding intent to distribute.
What is strict liability?
An agreement between two or more people to commit an unlawful act, which in most modern jurisdictions also requires at least one minor act performed to push the plan forward.
What is a conspiracy?