"In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority."
A study of criminal behavior, its causes, and contributing factors. This includes a review of risk factors, patterns, and criminality theories.
Criminology: The scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, and control of criminal behavior in society.
Psychology of Criminal Behavior: The study of the psychological factors that influence criminal behavior, including the impact of personality, socialization, and mental illness.
Victimology: The study of the psychological and emotional impact of crime on victims, including the factors that contribute to victimization.
Criminal Justice System: The laws, institutions, and processes used to identify, prosecute, and punish criminal offenders.
Juvenile Justice System: The laws, institutions, and processes used to identify, prosecute, and rehabilitate juvenile offenders.
Policing: The strategies and tactics used by law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to criminal activity.
Probation and Parole: The processes used to monitor and support offenders released from prison or jail.
Corrections: The institutions and programs used to incarcerate and rehabilitate criminal offenders.
White-Collar Crime: The nonviolent acts committed by corporations or individuals to gain financial or other benefits.
Organized Crime: The criminal activities of groups or organizations that operate for financial or other gain.
Domestic Violence: The physical, emotional, or sexual abuse committed by one family member against another.
Cyber Crime: The criminal activities that take place over the Internet or other electronic communication systems.
Hate Crime: The violent acts or threats committed against individuals or groups based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
Prostitution: The exchange of sexual services for money or other benefits.
Substance Abuse: The use of drugs or alcohol in a way that negatively impacts a person's life or the lives of those around them.
Violent crimes: These include crimes like murder, assault, and rape, where physical force or violence is used to harm another person.
Property crimes: These include burglary, vandalism, theft, and fraud, where there is damage or theft of someone's property.
White-collar crimes: These include embezzlement, insider trading, or financial fraud, often committed by individuals in positions of trust or power such as business executives or politicians.
Drug offenses: These include drug possession, manufacturing, and distribution.
Juvenile delinquency: This includes any criminal behavior committed by a person under the age of 18.
Cybercrime: These include various forms of computer and internet-related offenses like hacking, identity theft, and online harassment.
Hate crimes: These include crimes committed against a particular group of people based on their race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
Organized crime: These include criminal activities conducted by groups, gangs, or organizations for financial gain, like money laundering, racketeering, or human trafficking.
Driving under the influence: These include driving while impaired by drugs, alcohol, or other substances.
Domestic violence: These include any form of physical, verbal, emotional abuse or neglect of a family or household member.
"The term crime does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition."
"Something is a crime if declared as such by the relevant and applicable law."
"A crime or offence (or criminal offence) is an act harmful not only to some individual but also to a community, society, or the state."
"The notion that acts such as murder, rape, and theft are to be prohibited exists worldwide."
"What precisely is a criminal offence is defined by the criminal law of each relevant jurisdiction."
"While many have a catalogue of crimes called the criminal code, in some common law nations no such comprehensive statute exists."
"The state (government) has the power to severely restrict one's liberty for committing a crime."
"If found guilty, an offender may be sentenced to a form of reparation such as a community sentence, or, depending on the nature of their offence, to undergo imprisonment, life imprisonment or, in some jurisdictions, death."
"While every crime violates the law, not every violation of the law counts as a crime."
"Breaches of private law (torts and breaches of contract) are not automatically punished by the state, but can be enforced through civil procedure."
"Usually, to be classified as a crime, the 'act of doing something criminal' (actus reus) must – with certain exceptions – be accompanied by the 'intention to do something criminal' (mens rea)."
"In modern societies, there are procedures to which investigations and trials must adhere."
"The nature of the offense determines the form of reparation or punishment."
"If found guilty, an offender may be sentenced to a form of reparation such as a community sentence."
"Depending on the nature of their offense, [offenders] may undergo imprisonment, life imprisonment or, in some jurisdictions, death."
"The state (government) has the power to severely restrict one's liberty for committing a crime."
"To be classified as a crime, the 'act of doing something criminal' (actus reus) must – with certain exceptions – be accompanied by the 'intention to do something criminal' (mens rea)."
"Acts harmful to the community, society, or the state are forbidden and punishable by law."
"Breaches of private law (torts and breaches of contract) are not automatically punished by the state, but can be enforced through civil procedure."