The United States has two categories of laws which are meant to compensate victims of bad acts and to punish wrongdoing. These categories of laws are known as civil law and criminal law.
Civil laws are intended to deal with behaviors which cause some type of injury to individuals or other private parties through lawsuits. The consequences for a party who is found liable for these actions are usually monetary, but they may also include a court-ordered remedy such as an injunction or a restraining order.
Criminal laws, in contrast, are designed to deal with behaviors which are considered offenses against the state, the public, or society as a whole, even if a victim is an individual person. An individual who is convicted of a crime may be ordered to pay fines and may have lost their freedom due to being sentenced to jail or prison time.
Whether a defendant is charged with a serious crime or with a minor offense, the defendant still has the right to a trial in addition to certain other legal protections.
What Kinds of Crimes Can Someone Be Convicted of?
Criminal acts are categorized from less serious petty offenses, such as simple theft, to the most serious types of offenses, such as drug trafficking and murder. Each jurisdiction as well as the federal courts have different ways they classify crimes, from misdemeanors to felonies.
The crime an individual can be charged with will depend upon the location where the crime occurred. There may be some confusion which arises regarding whether the offense will be charged under state laws or federal laws.
The best way to understand the differences between categories of crimes is to seek counsel from a criminal defense attorney who specializes in both state criminal laws and federal criminal laws. Criminal laws vary from state to state.
For example, the criminal laws in North Dakota are drastically different from those in other regions, such as Montana. In metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Northern New Jersey, there may be a mix of different types of criminal activity that is occurring.
There are also states which may have unique criminal statutes which may seem unusual. For example, under Massachusetts criminal laws, dueling is illegal. Massachusetts also has two types of assault and battery with one relating to general assault and battery and one that is due to debt collecting.
These types of laws are specific and may not be present in other areas of the country. For these reasons, it is important for an individual to check their local laws in order to determine if their criminal actions fall under a specific statute.
What is a Misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor is considered a category of lesser crimes. They are typically punishable by incarceration in the county jail for less than one year and criminal fines.
Examples of misdemeanors include petty theft, prostitution, and vandalism. It is common for criminal lawyers to have a specialization in a category of crimes, such as theft lawyers, who work specifically on theft cases.
Criminal defense attorneys may be able to help individuals with reduced fines or penalties. It is important to be aware that some misdemeanor convictions may result in jail time depending on the facts of the case and the individual’s previous criminal record.
What is a Felony?
A felony is the category of the most serious types of crimes, including:
As previously noted, criminal laws vary by state, as do criminal punishments. Felony convictions, however, typically carry heavy penalties including jail time, hefty fines, and other life-altering consequences.
If an individual is charged with a felony, they should consult with a criminal defense attorney to learn about the laws of the jurisdiction, their rights, and available defenses.
Is There a Connection Between Battery and Larceny?
In Nevada, battery and grand larceny are separate crimes. It is important to note, however, that one offense may influence the other offense.
This is due to the fact that the punishment for a battery conviction is increased when a battery is committed in an attempt to commit grand larceny.
What is Battery?
Battery is an unlawful, intentional, and willful use of force against an individual without their consent. Battery is a misdemeanor offense in the State of Nevada.
Battery in Nevada is punishable by a maximum of 6 months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000. In addition, the State of Nevada recognizes several aggravating circumstances which worsen the crime of battery and elevate it from a misdemeanor, which include if the battery involves:
- Domestic violence;
- Conduct which results in substantial injury;
- Committed with a deadly weapon; and
- Committed during the commission of another crime.
What is Grand Larceny in Nevada?
Grand larceny is defined as the intentional taking and carrying away of property which belongs to another individual. This property may include:
- Personal property;
- Real property which is converted into personal property, such as a plant that was ripped out of the ground;
- Furniture or bedding that was used by a tenant who occupies the location that it was taken from;
- At least one domesticated bird or animal; or
- At least one head of livestock.
- A crime is elevated from petit larceny to grand larceny when the value of the stolen property is at least $650.
What is the Penalty for Grand Larceny in Nevada?
The penalty of a grand theft larceny charge in Nevada ranges from 1 to 10 years in prison, depending upon the value of the property. For example, if property is valued at $3,500 or more, a defendant will face a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.
If convicted of grand larceny in Nevada, a defendant will also face a criminal fine of up to $10,000. In many cases, the defendant will also be ordered to pay restitution to the victim.
What is Battery with the Intent to Commit Grand Larceny?
A defendant commits the crime of battery with the intent to commit grand larceny when they engage in harmful contact with an individual. Harmful contact to another individual may be done in an effort to take and carry away property which is done with the intent to permanently deprive that individual of their property.
Battery with the intent to commit grand larceny is charged with an individual attempting to take property which is valued at more than $650.
What Kind of Prison Sentence Will I Face if I Am Convicted of This Crime?
If an individual is convicted of battery with the intent to commit grand larceny, they will be convicted of a category B felony. A conviction of battery with the intent to commit grand larceny, they will face a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 10 years in prison.
The defendant will also be required to pay a criminal fine of up to $10,000.
Can a Lawyer Help Me?
A Nevada criminal lawyer can assist you if you have been charged with a crime in Nevada. It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible if you are facing criminal charges in Nevada.
Your attorney will advise you regarding the laws in Nevada, the possible consequences of your charges, and what defenses may be available to you. In addition, your attorney will represent you if you are required to appear in court.
