Substantive Criminal Justice

The malicious and willful burning of another's house

The land immediately surrounding and associated with the home, including such structures as a barn, outhouse, or milk house

The voluntary, intentional nature of a crime; required as a separate element of arson

The malicious, willful burning, or attempted burning of, one's own or another person's property

Breaking and entering, in the nighttime, of the mansion or dwelling home or curtilage of another, with the intent to commit a felony

Entering, whether in the daytime or at night, of any building, structure, or vehicle, with the intent to commit any criminal offense

A door inside a building that does not lead directly to the outside

An entry effected by using an instrumentality, such as another person, an animal, or a physical object

At common law, the period between sunset and sunrise when there is enough daylight to discern a man's face

Whether the dwelling is used regularly as a place to sleep determines whether a dwelling is occupied

Unlawful forced entry; similar to burglary, but without the specific intent to commit a theft or felony inside the structure

The unauthorized entering of any dwelling, vehicle, watercraft, or other structure, movable or immovable, with the intent to commit a felony or any theft therein

Simple burglary with the added elements of entering an inhibited dwelling, or any structure or vehicle, while armed with a dangerous weapon, or by committing a battery after or upon entry

Tools and instruments that are designed, adapted, or commonly used to commit burglaries

A vehicle proceeding on land by means of its own power plant and free of rails, tracks, or overhead wires

The illegal driving or someone else's automobile without permission, but with no intent to deprive the owner of it permanently

A broad category of misconduct against property that includes the crimes of larceny, embezzlement, theft by false pretenses, shoplifting, robbery, and receiving stolen goods

The felonious taking of property valued above a set monetary amount, or the theft of a motor vehicle. More serious than petit or petty theft

The misdemeanor taking of property under a set monetary amount. Less serious than grand theft

The original unlawful taker of the property of another person

The taking and carrying away of the property of another, without consent, with the purpose of stealing or permanently depriving the owner of possession

Statutory offense of taking property from the person of another; the penalty of another is usually greater than that for simple larceny

A crime defined by a specific theft statute to address thefts of merchandise, concealment of merchandise, altering of price tags, and retail theft

Property over which a person voluntarily gives up permanent possession or ownership

The unlawful taking or misuse of property by persons, typically employees, who lawfully come into possession of the property and therefore do not meet the theft or larceny requirement of wrongfully obtaining the property

The wrongful misuse or taking of another's property that has been entrusted to the accused

A crime in which title or ownership of the property is passed to the defendant in reliance on the defendant's misrepresentation

Acquiring possession, control, or title, or lending on the security of, property that has been stolen

A relationship between the defendant and the stolen goods such that it is reasonable to treat the extent of the defendant's dominion and control over the property as if it were actual possession

The gaining of property by threat of physical harm to a person or property by a public official under color of his or her office

The requirement at common law for the crime of extortion that the action taken by the perpetrator be in his or her capacity as a public official

A threat by a private citizen seeking hush money, or payment, to remain silent about a crime or a shameful act

Payment by a person to a public official in order to gain an advantage that the person is not otherwise entitled to; both parties are guilty of the crime

Making or altering a writing, with the purpose of deceiving or injuring, in such a way as to convey a false impression concerning its authenticity

Presenting a forged writing and attempting to use it to deceive or cheat

Creating a document that is not authentic