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What Is A Crime? How Is A Crime Defined?

3/19/2012

13 Comments

 
There are two basic requirements to defining activity as a crime. 
1)  The activity must be forbidden by law (the law may also require something to be done).  2)  There must be some penalty attached to conducting the activity.

In every state, the legislatures have enacted criminal codes.  A state's criminal code is the primary place to determine what activities are crimes.  However, crimes may be defined in other places than the criminal code.  For example, in California, some crimes are contained in the Vehicle Code.

Federal crimes have been enacted and defined by Congress.  Again, however, some federal crimes are not contained in the United States Criminal Code.  Tax crimes, for example, are contained in the Internal Revenue Code.

There is therefore no one place to find all the crimes of a particular jurisdiction.  Also, many criminal laws have been interpreted by the courts.  Therefore, even a reading of a state's criminal codes will not give someone all the answers about how a crime is defined and what activity falls within that definition.

That is one of the many reasons a criminal defendant is entitled to a lawyer.  Someone who is uneducated in the law will have a very difficult time interpreting and understanding all the details that make up a law. 

Also, every crime that is defined in the law has two basic components: 
*an act, and
* a mental state 

In law, the Latin terms are used:  actus reas (act) and mens rea (mental state).  That concept, and specifically the contours of a criminal state of mind, is discussed further here.

For more information like this delivered to your inbox, join The Criminal Law Community.  If you are a writer of filmmaker in the crime or legal genres, check out the free eBook:  Top 7 Mistakes Made by Writers of Crime, Mystery and Legal Drama.
13 Comments
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7/30/2012 10:05:29 pm

Very nice definition of crime.By reading these blog my all the doubts regarding crime are clear now.

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Blythe
7/31/2012 10:15:37 am

Thanks for reading and for your feedback!

Reply
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9/26/2012 08:56:58 pm

Very INFORMATIVE and just FANTASTIC! I was looking for the related information. Thanks a lot it is very useful for me. Would love to read some pieces on the topic.

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Blythe
9/27/2012 10:52:41 am

Great! I'm glad you found this article useful.

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6/18/2013 02:47:17 pm

Thanks for providing this amazing article! That is very exciting I really like studying and I am always searching for useful details like this.

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Blythe
7/30/2013 04:56:29 am

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

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7/29/2013 07:47:38 pm




I got lots of information about criminal .like u have also put some question about it.so thanks shared nice information in this blog.



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Blythe
7/30/2013 04:57:01 am

You're welcome. Thanks for your feedback!

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5/7/2022 01:16:05 am

Enjoyed reading the article above , really explains everything in detail,the article is very interesting and effective.Thank you and good luck for the upcoming articles

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6/1/2022 02:45:30 am

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6/6/2022 04:39:59 pm

Your blog is valuable for me and for others. Thanks for sharing this information!

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6/29/2022 12:47:57 pm

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10/26/2022 07:58:33 pm

It's interesting to know that there would not be a certain place to find crimes in certain jurisdictions. With that in mind, it is a good idea to watch crime news to learn more about our location's regulations and laws. For sure, the reporters would have done their research and talked to experts to explain some situations and what will happen to victims and suspects which we will be informed about as citizens.

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    Author

    Blythe Leszkay is a successful and experienced criminal attorney, criminal law professor, and consultant to writers and filmmakers.  See About Me.  This blog is intended to answer common criminal law questions, dispel misconceptions, and explain misunderstood criminal law concepts.  It is also a place to discuss any crime or law related topics of interest.  Contact me for a free initial consultation on your film or writing project.

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