Categories of Crimes in The UK
There are three categories of crimes in the UK: indictable, summary,
and either-way crimes.
Indictable offences are the most serious ones and are punishable by the
longest prison terms. They include murder, rape and robbery and can only
be tried in the Crown Court.
Summary offences are the least serious ones, such as speeding and
drunk-driving. Summary trials are heard in magistrates’ courts.
Either-way offences can be heard either in the Crown Court or by
magistrates. Examples of either way offences include theft, drug offences
and less serious physical violence. A magistrate can decide that an eitherway
offence is serious enough to be heard in the Crown Court where the
penalties prescribed can be more severe. If, however, a magistrate decides
that an either-way offence can be heard as a summary trial, the defendant
can choose to move the trial to the Crown Court.
An important aspect of criminal law is that in most crimes the prosecution
has to prove two elements. The first, actus reus, refers to the criminal act
itself. The second, mens rea, refers to the intent to commit a crime — ‘guilty
mind’. However, in some cases, such as drunk driving or speeding, the
prosecution does not have to prove intent. Such offences are said to be of
‘strict liability’.
Types of serious crimes in most jurisdictions are: arson, theft, sexual
offences, terrorism. In common law arson is setting fire to the dwelling of
another person. Theft sometimes is still known by the traditional name of
larceny which probably is the most common crime involving criminal
intent. The traditional definition of theft is the physical removal of an object
without the consent of the owner. Burglary is entering a building, inhabited
vehicle or vessel to steal, to inflict bodily harm or to do unlawful damage. In
English law, any entry by an individual into a building with intent to commit
theft is burglary.
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