| Crime is a bad thing. And the previous sentence was | | | | been no corpus delicti found (Yes, more Latin |
| an understatement, and an inaccurate description of | | | | words...). Without corpus delicti (or "proof of a crime") |
| the concept of Crime. | | | | there can be no prosecution of a crime. |
| When someone commits a crime he or she, for sure, | | | | Assisting a Crime. It may also be a crime to conspire |
| has broken a law that applies to the place and | | | | in order to commit other crimes, or helping others to |
| situation he or she is in. The principal statement of | | | | commit crimes (in which case one becomes an |
| crime is that, if there is a law that is broken, there | | | | accomplice). |
| must be retribution, or justice meted. | | | | In some systems, the simple association for |
| Quick question. You run a red light. This means you | | | | organizing a crime is punished. Roles that accomplices |
| have broken traffic laws. Does this mean you are a | | | | play include being a 'lookout,' or simply assisting in the |
| criminal? | | | | communications of criminals in committing crimes. |
| Probably not. | | | | Aborted Plans? In some areas, the attempt alone to |
| If that were so, then probably three-quarters of the | | | | commit a crime may be punished, even if the crime is |
| U.S.'s driving population would be criminals. Luckily, this | | | | not completed. For instance, it is generally a crime to |
| is not the case. Crime, in a broad sense, refers to | | | | attempt to murder someone, even if one has not |
| acts that violate political or moral law. An even more | | | | succeeded in doing so. |
| specific definition of Crime is the violation of criminal | | | | The Insane Way Out. Most western systems do not |
| law. | | | | punish to the full extent individuals who commit |
| Since running a red light is a violation of traffic laws | | | | crimes unintentionally or are not yet of legal age. |
| and not criminal laws, we aren't that ready to label | | | | Those who have been proven to be insane at the |
| more that half of the drivers on the streets today as | | | | time of the crime are examples of such. |
| criminals. | | | | Since insane people are said to not have proper |
| The general rules of defining crime may vary from | | | | control of their decision making faculties, no malicious |
| country to country, culture to culture. | | | | intent can be accused against them. |
| "Actus Reus and Mens Rea", yes, I know. Two | | | | When proof of a crime can be found, person can be |
| words that don't really mean anything to most | | | | put on trial for the criminal act. This allows the |
| laypeople. Actus Reus means "guilty action." This | | | | suspect to prove innocence, or for the court to |
| means an act of crime has been committed. Mens | | | | prove his or her guilt. If found guilty, the person is |
| rea means "guilty mind." This means there was | | | | now subject to the punishment accorded to him or |
| malicious intentions by a party. Generally, for an act | | | | her by the state. |
| to be counted as a crime, both concepts must be | | | | Committing a crime is no joke. And being accused of |
| present. | | | | such isn't either. A good understanding of the basic |
| Corpus Delicti. Some people are as guilty of a crime | | | | concepts of the law makes understanding, |
| as can be. But somehow, you find them free of guilt | | | | appreciating, and obeying the law a more |
| in the court of law. Usually, this is because there has | | | | straightforward and appealing endeavor. |