Five Categories of Crime and the Rank of Seriousness

Vandalism can be classified as a misdemeanor or a felony.

The American justice system does not simply label crime as "crime." In fact, there are several types of crimes. This classification is necessary to help determine the punishments for convicted criminals. Essentially, these classifications fall into categories that are punishable by severe and light sentences. In addition, some types of crime are labeled in ways that emphasize how the victim of the crime was affected (i.e., either the victim was directly affected by the criminal or his property was the target of the crime).

Infractions

Infractions are the lightest category of crime. This type of crime is not punishable by jail time and is most commonly punishable by fines. Examples of infractions are jaywalking, parking violations and speeding.

Misdemeanors Against Persons

In terms of severity, misdemeanors are the middle-level classification of crime. The categorization misdemeanors against persons indicates that the crime was carried out against a person. This category includes crimes ranging from assault and domestic violence to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Misdemeanors against persons can be punishable by jail time, but are often not.

Misdemeanors Against Property

This class of crime is of equal severity to that of misdemeanors against persons. However, for misdemeanors against property there is no direct human victim. Crimes in this category range from vandalism to trespassing. Like misdemeanors against persons, misdemeanors against property are punishable by jail time but more commonly punishable by fining.

Felonies Against Persons

This is the most severe category of crime that can be committed against a person. Conviction of a felony against a person typically carries at least one year of jail time. In some cases, the punishment for a felony against a person is capital punishment (the death sentence). Examples of felonies against persons are murder, manslaughter, rape and kidnapping.

Felonies Against Property

Felonies against property share the highest level of severity with felonies against persons. However, unlike felonies against persons, felonies against property do not yield capital punishment. Arson, theft and fraud are examples of felonies against property that can carry long prison sentences. In addition, misdemeanors against property can be upgraded to felonies against property when that property is federal property, such as the case in the vandalism of government buildings.

References

• "Criminal Law"; George Dix, et al.; 2002
• "The Glannon Guide to Criminal Law"; Laurie Levenson; 2009