A stable and effective legal system work is one of the fundamental aspects necessary for the evolution of society. Thus, providing appropriate punishments requires a clear understanding and definition. For this reason, the current justice system introduces specific categories of crime, helping to address every case and ensure it is correctly investigated.
Homicide is a category of severe crimes requiring investigation and punishment. It can be defined as an act of killing one human being by another (Dressler, 2018). However, in some cases, it might refer to noncriminal acts. For this reason, it is vital to differentiate between different types, which explains the existence of specific types within this category. For instance, first-degree homicide is the intentional killing of another person by an individual who acted willfully (Dressler, 2018). It means there is a predetermined intention to kill and commit a crime (Dressler, 2018). Second-degree homicide is also determined as murder with malicious intent; however, as against the previous type, this one was not premeditated (Dressler, 2018). In such a way, mens rea, or the criminal intent, differentiates these two types of homicide (Dressler, 2018). Both these offenses remain a severe issue and require appropriate criminal punishment.
Violent crime is another category of misconduct that is considered by the legal system. It can be determined as the type of offense involving the use of force or its threat (Dressler, 2018). The severity of the crime is determined by the damage done to a person and the intent. Thus, domestic violence is an example of violent crime. It can be defined as violence committed by a person belonging to a victim’s domestic circle (Dressler, 2018). Elder abuse is a type of offense also belonging to this category. Its legal definition implies an action or inaction threatening the health or well-being of an older person (Dressler, 2018). In such a way, all these crime categories are linked to the potential use of force or for various purposes.
Finally, kidnapping is another category of severe crime requiring specific attention and punishment. It is defined as an unlawful restraint of an individual’s liberty by force, threat, or show of force to send the victim to another location (Dressler, 2018). Human trafficking is one of the crimes belonging to this broad category. It implies using force, coercion, or fraud to acquire a particular type of labor or commercial sex act (Dressler, 2018). Child abduction is another severe crime from the category. It is defined as the unauthorized removal or retention of a child from a person with legal responsibility for him/her (Dressler, 2018). All these offenses are viewed as severe crimes requiring appropriate punishment.
Analyzing the case of Garry M., arrested by the FBI for trying to date a 14-year-old girl after a discussion on the internet, several important factors should be admitted. Applying the criminal statute of the New York state, the age of consent is 17 years old (“New York state law,” n.d.). It means that individuals who are younger cannot provide legal consent for sexual intercourse (“New York state law,” n.d.). The attempt to start dating with a minor and have sex can be viewed as a criminal offense. For this reason, Garry’s intent is crucial because if he wanted to have sex, he could be charged with a sex crime, implying up to 7 years in prison.
Altogether, the existing legal system has specific definitions of various types of crime. They are introduced to help specialists to classify the act of misconduct and provide the necessary punishment. The discussed categories have specific subtypes differentiating regarding the type of behavior, use of force, or intent. These factors should be considered when investigating certain cases.
References
Dressler, J. (2018). Understanding criminal law (8th ed.). Carolina Academic. New York state law. (n.d.).