Warning
Info
Warning
Info
Simple English definitions for legal terms
graded offense
Read a random definition: worker
A quick definition of graded offense:
A graded offense is when someone breaks the law, but it's not a really serious crime. It could be something small like not paying a fine or breaking a minor rule. There are other types of offenses too, like stealing or doing something that could hurt someone else. Sometimes, if the offense is similar to another one, it's called an allied offense. In English law, an arrestable offense is one that can get you put in jail for up to five years.
A more thorough explanation:
A graded offense is a violation of the law that is considered a crime, often a minor one. It is also known as a criminal offense. The terms "crime," "offense," and "criminal offense" are often used interchangeably.
- Acquisitive offense: This is a type of offense where someone unlawfully takes someone else's property. Examples of acquisitive offenses include larceny and theft.
- Allied offense: This is a crime that has elements similar to another crime. If someone commits one of these crimes, they automatically commit the other. For example, if someone commits robbery, they also commit assault.
- Anticipatory offense: This is also known as an inchoate offense. It is a crime that someone plans to commit but has not yet carried out. For example, if someone plans to rob a bank and takes steps to do so, they can be charged with an anticipatory offense.
- Arrestable offense: In English law, an arrestable offense is a crime for which the punishment is fixed by law or for which a statute authorizes imprisonment for five years. This includes crimes like murder, rape, and robbery.
These examples illustrate how a graded offense can encompass a variety of crimes, from minor offenses like theft to more serious crimes like murder. The severity of the offense is often determined by the punishment that is authorized by law.