Types of Punishment for Criminal Activity - Explained
Types of Criminal Punishment
Written by Jason Gordon
Updated at April 2nd, 2023
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What types of punishment exist for criminal activity?
Criminal statutes carry numerous forms of punishment or sanction for criminal conduct including:
- Fines - These are monetary penalties placed on someone convicted of criminal activity.
- Incarceration - This includes the physical detention of an individual.
-
Other Loss of Rights or Privileges- Other losses of rights or privileges pursuant to criminal conduct include:
- the right to vote,
- the right to own a firearm, and
- the privilege of driving.
These punishments are not exclusive. Criminal conduct may carry multiple punishments.
Next Article: Theories Behind Criminal Punishment Back to: CRIMINAL LAW
Discussion Question
Do you believe that criminal punishments are fair across all crimes in the United States? More specifically, are the criminal sanctions for white-collar crimes just in comparison to criminal sanctions for the sale for illegal drugs?
- There is certainly a noted disparity in the severity of punishment across crimes. This is very notable in white-collar crimes involving fraud or embezzlement. An executive or fund manager that steals millions of dollars may face a less severe punishment than an individual who commits a burglary or vehicle theft. Another example would be the far stiffer penalties associated with crack (concentrated cocaine often smoked by low-income drug abusers) than cocaine (more commonly used by individuals from higher socioeconomic classes).
Practice Question
Victor is charged with domestic abuse of his wife. The police have evidence that Victor physically attacked his wife on multiple occasions. The charges are a felony in Victors state. If convicted, what are the possible penalties Victor could face for this illegal conduct?
- The state could charge Victor under general criminal statutes, such as assault or any specific statute making domestic violence illegal. This could lead to imprisonment, probation, criminal fines, or a restraining order against contacting his wife. Generally, domestic abuse is a state crime. Though, it may also constitute a federal crime. Under the Violence Against Women Act case, the court must order restitution for the perpetrator to pay the victim the full amount of loss. These losses include costs for medical or psychological care, physical therapy, transportation, temporary housing, and child care expenses, loss of income, attorneys fees, costs incurred in obtaining a civil protection order, and any other losses suffered by the victim as a result of the offense. However, the court can also order incarceration where the perpetrator inflicted body injuries to the victim. https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/victim-witness-program/federal-domestic-violence-laws
Related Topics
- Criminal Law (Intro)
- What is Criminal Law?
- What are the elements of a crime?
- Classifications of crimes Misdemeanor vs Felony Criminal Charges?
- What is the process of bringing criminal charges?
- Cease and Desist Order
- What is the process for executing an arrest?
- What are the exceptions to reading Miranda Rights?
- What is the process for initiating criminal charges?
- Prima Facie
- What is the Arraignment and Initial Appearance
- Investigation - Subpoena
- Common Defenses to Criminal Conduct
- Ex. Castle Doctrine
- Types of Punishment for Criminal Activity
- Theories Behind Criminal Punishment
- Federal Sentencing Guidelines
- What are the 4th Amendment protections against Search and Seizure?
- What are the 5th Amendment criminal law protections?
- What are the 6th Amendment criminal law protections?
- What are the 8th Amendment criminal law protections?
- Crimes Against the Property of Others
- Activity Constituting Fraud
- Good Faith as a Defense to Fraud
- Common Types of Business Fraud
- False Statement as a Criminal Charge
- Conspiracy as a Criminal Charge
- Obstruction of Justice as a Criminal Charge
- Aiding and Abetting or Conspiracy to a Crime