adminA criminal is someone who has committed, or been legally convicted of, a crime. Criminal law deals with the government’s attempt, on behalf of its citizens, to punish people for violating the laws of a jurisdiction. The specific laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but most include a definition of various crimes with different degrees of severity. The guiding principle of criminal law is public safety and deterrence. It also establishes standards of behaviour expected of citizens and punishments for failure to meet those norms. Finally, it provides the legal framework that protects the rights of individuals during the course of a criminal trial, such as access to legal representation, the right to a fair hearing and a sentence in line with the severity of the crime.
The most common offences are theft, robbery, arson and drug offenses but murder, rape and homicide are also crimes. People can also be found guilty of treason, espionage or fraud. In general, the more serious an infringement is, the higher the degree of crime and the longer the sentence. In some jurisdictions, a conviction for a crime may result in imprisonment, monetary fines, community service or a combination of these.
If you want to write interesting crime stories, be inventive – it’s not enough to simply copy what has gone before. Great crime writing is a blend of interesting characters, plot twists and cliffhangers that leave the reader wanting more. Also, don’t be afraid to be controversial if you think it will interest your audience. For example, it’s still believed that some physical abnormalities make people more likely to commit crimes – such as small heads, bigger jaws and ears, being of a particular race or being of an age where they are more inclined to commit offences.
