FOR SECOND EXAM TOPICS

CRIME

In as much as the definition of crime is concerned, many field of study like law, sociology and
psychology have their respective emphasis on what crime is.

Crime may be defined as:

• An act or omission in violation of a criminal law in its legal point of view.

• An anti-social act; an act that is injurious, detrimental or harmful to the norms of society;
they are the unacceptable acts in its social definition.
• Psychologically, crime is an act, which is considered undesirable due to behavioral
maladjustment of the offender; acts that are caused by maladaptive or abnormal behaviors.

CRIME is also a generic name that refers to offense, felony and delinquency or misdemeanor.

• Offense – is an act or omission that is punishable by special laws ( a special law is a

statute enacted by Congress, penal in character, which is not an amendment to the Revised
Penal Code) such as Republic Acts, Presidential Decrees, Executive Orders, Memorandum
Circulars, Ordinances and Rules and Regulations ( Reyes, 1960)
• Felony – is an act or mission that is punishable by the Revised Penal Code, the criminal
law in the Philippines (Reyes, 1960).
• Delinquency/Misdemeanor – acts that are in violation of simple rules and regulations
usually referring to acts committed by minor offenders.

Under the law, crimes are classified as:

• Crimes against National Security and the Law of Nations -

Example – Treason, Espionage, Piracy
• Crimes against the Fundamental Law of the State.
Example – Arbitrary Detention, Violation of Domicile
• Crimes against Public Order.
Example – Rebellion, Sedition, Coup d’tat
• Crimes against Public Interest.
Example – Forgery, Falsification, Fraud
• Crimes against Public Morals
Example – Gambling and betting, offences against decency and good customs like scandals,
obscenity, vagrancy, and prostitution
• Crimes Committed by Public Officers
Example – Malfeasance and Misfeasance
• Crimes against Person
Example – Murder, Rape, Physical Injuries
• Crimes against Properties
Example – Robbery, Theft
• Crimes against Personal Liberty and Security
Example – Illegal Detention, Kidnapping, Trespass to Dwelling, Threat and Coercion
• Crimes against Chastity
Example – Concubinage, Adultery, Seduction, Abduction, Acts of Lasciviousness
• Crimes against Civil Status of Persons
Example – Bigamy and Other Illegal Marriages
• Crimes against Honor
Example – Libel, Oral Defamation
• Quasi-offenses or Criminal Negligence
Example – Imprudence and Negligence