Texas State University - Federal Crime Definitions

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Federal Crime Definitions

Just what is a crime? Read the definitions of the terms used in the FBI Uniform Crime Reports and Texas State University Crime Statistics reported in this newsletter. Note: These are Federal definitions of acts, not charges issued against individuals according to the Texas Penal Code.

Murder and non-negligent manslaughter: The willful (non-negligent) killing of one human being by another.

Negligent Manslaughter: The killing of another person through gross negligence.

Sex Offenses, Forcible: Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or, not forcibly or against the person's will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

Sex Offenses, Nonforcible: Unlawful, nonforcible sexual intercourse.

Armed Robbery: The taking, or attempting to take anything of value from the care, custody, or control of a person or persons by force or threat of force or violence and/or by putting the victim in fear.

Arson: Any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling house, public building, motor vehicle or aircraft, personal property of another, etc.

Assault, Aggravated: An unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm.

Assault, Non-aggravated: Assaults and attempted assaults where no weapon is used and that do not result in serious or aggravated injury to the victim.

Burglary (Breaking or Entering): The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft. Forced entry is not a required element of the offense; it may be accomplished via an unlocked door or window, so long as the entry is unlawful (constituting a trespass). Included are attempts to commit burglary where force is employed, or where a perpetrator is frightened off while entering an unlocked door or climbing through an open window.

Larceny-Theft: The unlawful taking, carrying, leading or riding away of property from the possession or constructive possessions of another. Examples of offenses in this classification include pocket-picking and purse snatching (where no more force is employed than that necessary to take the property).

Motor Vehicle Theft: Theft or attempted theft of a motor vehicle.

Hate Crimes: Any of the above-listed offenses and other crimes involving bodily injury to any person in which the victim is intentionally selected because of the actual or perceived race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability of the victim.

Liquor Law Violations: Violations of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession or use of alcoholic beverages (does not include "driving under the influence" or drunkenness).

Drug Abuse Violations: Violations of laws prohibiting production, distribution and/or use of certain controlled substances and the equipment or devices utilized in their preparation and/or use.

Weapons Possessions: Violations of laws or ordinances prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, cutting instruments, explosives, incendiary devices, or other deadly weapons.

Last updated: 02/28/07 10:37
URL: http://www.txstate.edu/police/cw_definitions.htm
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