Crimes

Crimes

Crime in the United States is compiled by the annual uniform crime reports in the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Annual Uniform Crime Reports are represented by the annual National Crime Victimization Surveys and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). FBI publishes reports on law enforcements (Crimes Against Public Order and Morality, 2010), crime rates varies with States. This paper will reflect on Arson as an example of the crime against property, first degree murder as the crime against persons and disorderly conduct as the crime against public order or public-order crimes.

Crime against property (Arson)

Arson in the United States is a crime of maliciously and intentionally setting fire to wild land areas, buildings, cars and other property; the main intention of arson is to cause damage to the property (Redsicker & O’Connor,  2006). Arson by far is different from natural wildfires and spontaneous combustion. Actus reus and mens rea supports that in arson attacks, fires are started deliberately by owners who seek insurance compensation or setting property of other people under fire. Persons involved these kinds of attacks are known as arsonists (Redsicker & O’Connor,  2006).

In the United States, arson attacks are divided into three categories identifying with first degree arson, second degree arson and third degree arson. Statutes vary degree of the crime depending on the intention attached to the criminal activities. Common law in the United States varies with States. First degree arson attack happens when human life is lost or harmed in the process of arson attacks (Redsicker & O’Connor,  2006). An example is the Cameron Willingham case in Texas and Raymond Lee Oyler case in California.

There are different penalties attached to arson attacks depending on the different states. Crimes in the three categories vary and some are more serious than others. Comparing arson attacks, first degree murder and disorderly conduct, it has been noted that first degree murder is the severest, followed by arson attacks and finally followed by the disorderly conduct. Taking an example of New York City, arson attacks are divided into five categories and carries with them different penalties. First degree murder in most states is responded to by death penalty or being jailed for life, proving the seriousness of the crime. (Redsicker & O’Connor,  2006)

Crime against Persons (First degree murder)

According to the United States law, murder is related to some extents to homicides. It has been noted that different states have different laws related to murder cases. Murder cases are tried at the state jurisdictions and federal jurisdictions; and in some cases, offenders can be subjected to state and also federal jurisdictions without double jeopardy (Kellerman, 2008). Murder crimes in the United States have no statute of limitations. Murder is the serious crime among the homicides crimes; murder is characterized with intentional act which is unlawful in killing another individual with intent of fatal consequences.

United States federal laws have set clear rules on first degree murder, which is punishable by the federal, militaries and the states. Felony murder is considered as an example of first degree murder, which is characterized with premeditated and willful acts (Kellerman, 2008). Other degrees of murder identifies with second degree murder, third degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughters. Punishment for first degree murder by the federal is life sentence or death sentence. Militaries set first degree murder to life imprisonment or death; which also applies at the state laws. Laws on murder vary within states as per the unborn victims of violence act. Taking an example of the Arizona state, first degree murder results to a death penalty (Kellerman, 2008).

Crime against public order (Disorderly Conduct)

Crimes against public order in most cases are related to issues of moral aspects within a community. Disorderly conduct is an example of a crime against public order, in the sense that they disturb public peace, cause public nuisance and threaten the moral standings of the society (Crimes Against Public Order and Morality, 2010). Other examples pegged on crime against public order identify with rioting, vagrancy, public indecency, loitering, prostitution, gang activities, obscenity, soliciting and cruelty directed at animals.

Disorderly conduct in this context punishes the offender for the issues relating to public decency, disturbance of peace and on public morals. Statutes relating to disorderly conduct vary with jurisdictions depending on the activities that are considered as criminal activities. The statutes are traceable to the goals of the common laws in punishing issues relating to breach of peace. Rioting happens when disorderly conduct is pegged on a number of individuals (Crimes Against Public Order and Morality, 2010).

Reflecting on Florida State, it has been noted that there are defined statutes that protects the public against disorderly conduct, which results to criminal case, and at times related directly or indirectly to other crimes. According to the Florida Statutes, section 877.03, it clarifies on disorderly conduct and on breach to peace. In the sense that persons involved in disorderly conducts are corrupting public morals, affect peace and causing public indecency. Most cases are related to fighting and brawling among others. Disorderly conduct according to the Florida state is a second degree crime, which is punishable according to the section 775.083 and 775.082 (Crimes Against Public Order and Morality, 2010).

In conclusion, there are different penalties for crimes against property, crimes against people and crimes against public order. It has been noted that crimes against people are the most serious carrying life imprisonment or death penalties, then followed by the crime against property and finally by crimes against disorderly conduct that carries the minimal charges.

 

 

References

Crimes Against Public Order and Morality . (2010). Crimes in U.S. , 403-449.

Kellerman, J. (2008). The Murder Book . New York: Ballantine Books.

Redsicker, D. & O’Connor, J. (2006). Practical Fire and Arson Investigation. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press.

 

 

 

 

 

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