Types of Charges

A simple assault can also rise to the level of an aggravated assault charge depending on the identity of the victim. Some states will prosecute any type of assault on an on-duty police officer or firefighter as an aggravated assault. Some states will even elevate the assault charges when the victim is pregnant.

The crimes of assault, assault and battery, and aggravated assault all involve intentional harm inflicted on one person by another. Any crime involving a physical attack (or even the threat of an attack) is usually classified as an assault, a battery, or both.

Arson statutes typically classify arson as a felony due to the potential to cause injuries or death. Degrees of Arson. Many states recognize differing degrees of arson, based on such factors as whether the building was occupied and whether insurance fraud was intended. Less serious arson cases may result in minor punishments, while other arson cases may result in the death penalty. Arson is handled in various courts throughout the U.S. in many different ways.

Moreover, an intent to scare or frighten another person can be enough to establish assault charges, as well. Battery: Definition Although the statutes defining battery will vary by jurisdiction, a typical definition for battery is the intentional offensive or harmful touching of another person without their consent.

Attempt crimes, because they are incomplete, swing on some very fine distinctions. As such, there are many opportunities for a clever defense attorney to undermine the prosecution's case. In any event, defendants have the right to defend themselves against criminal charges in court.

In the United States, criminal battery, or simple battery, is the use of force against another, resulting in harmful or offensive contact, including sexual contact. At common law, simple battery is a misdemeanor.

Elements of a Bribery Charge At the most fundamental level, charges of bribery need only to prove that an agreement for the exchange of something of value (political influence, for example) for a sum of money or something else of value.

Breaking and entering into an abandoned building may result in other criminal charges, but most likely not a burglary charge. Intent. In order for a break-in to constitute a burglary, the person breaking in must have the intent to commit a crime inside the building.

Child abandonment occurs when a parent, guardian, or person in charge of a child either deserts a child without any regard for the child's physical health, safety or welfare and with the intention of wholly abandoning the child, or in some instances, fails to provide necessary care for a child living under their roof.

A person charged with child abuse faces a wide range of penalties and sentencing possibilities depending on several factors, such as: The state where the abuse took place; The age of the child; Whether the offense involved sexual abuse; Whether the child was physically or mentally injured; and The criminal history of the offender.

18 U.S.C. § 2251- Sexual Exploitation of Children (Production of child pornography) 18 U.S.C. § 2251A- Selling and Buying of Children 18 U.S.C. § 2252- Certain activities relating to material involving the sexual exploitation of minors

Computer Crime. Computer crime describes a very broad category of offenses. Some of them are the same as non-computer offenses, such as larceny or fraud, except that a computer or the Internet is used in the commission of the crime. Others, like hacking, are uniquely related to computers. Read on to find out what kinds of activities are considered computer crimes and how to prevent them.

False Imprisonment Penalties. A conviction for false imprisonment can lead to substantial penalties. Depending on the state and the circumstances of the case, false imprisonment can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony offense. Felony offenses are the more serious of the two and have stiffer penalties associated with them. Jail.

Homicide When someone takes the life of another, regardless of intent or other details surrounding the incident, it is called a homicide. Homicide is not always a crime, such as in cases of self-defense or the state-sanctioned execution of certain convicted criminals.

Federal prosecutors can file kidnapping charges independent of state charges, meaning you can be charged with both federal and state crimes. Kidnapping Laws & Penalties. Kidnapping is a very serious charge that brings significant penalties.

While state laws vary, the punishment for theft and larceny is usually based on the value of the goods taken, with lower value property, such as that which is under $500, considered as "petty" theft, and higher value items in excess of that amount considered as grand theft or grand larceny.

Vehicle theft is a serious crime with serious penalties, and depending on the intent laws in the state where a defendant is charged and the circumstances of the theft, it can be either a felony or a misdemeanor.

Robbery Charges In many states, robbery is divided into categories (such as first degree and second degree, or aggravated and simple), depending on the seriousness of the offense. Or, different types of robbery may be set forth in different statutes.