What are the six categories of criminal law violations? Describe each, and rank the categories in terms of seriousness
What will be an ideal response?
• Felonies are serious crimes, such as murder and rape. Offenders convicted of felonies can be incarcerated or sentenced to death and will lose certain privileges.
• Misdemeanors are relatively minor crimes, such as petty theft. Generally, misdemeanors are punishable by a year or less in prison.
• Offenses are minor violations of the law, such as spitting on the sidewalk and littering. Offenders are usually ticketed.
• Treason is considered among the most serious felonies. Treason occurs when a U.S. citizen helps a foreign government overthrow, make war against, or injure the United States.
• Espionage is considered among the most serious felonies. It is related to treason but can be committed by noncitizens. Espionage focuses on the gathering, transmitting, and losing of information related to national defense in such a manner that the information becomes available to enemies of the United States and may be used to their advantage.
• Inchoate offenses are incomplete offenses, or offenses that have not been fully carried out, such as conspiracy or an attempt. Inchoate offenses can still be serious (attempted murder), but they are less serious because the offense was not completed.
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The ABA suggests that in deciding whether to bring charges, criteria to be considered should include ______.
a. the harm caused by the offense b. the possibility of improper motives for a complaint c. the reluctance of the victim to testify d. all of these
This organization was the first to intervene on behalf of a mistreated child in 1875.
A. New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children B. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals C. Child Protective Services D. Guardian ad Litem
The relationship between prison crowding and violence is __________.
A. clearly demonstrated B. strongly correlated C. unclear D. nonexistent
The offense "Delivery of Marihuana" is a ________________ if the amount of marihuana delivered is one-fourth ounce or less and the person committing the offense does not receive remuneration for the marihuana.
A. Class "C" Misdemeanor B. Class "B" Misdemeanor C. Class "A" Misdemeanor D. State Jail Felony