Criminal law sign

Behavior consistency is the idea that an offender's crimes will tend to be similar to one another.
Homology is the idea that similar crimes are committed by similar offenders.

International criminal law editCrimes against humanityInternational criminal lawCrime against natureUnited States and the International Criminal Court

How do I know if a crime is a federal crime?

Most crimes are defined by statute, and they vary tremendously across different states and counties.
The Model Penal Code (MPC) provides a good overview of the most common types of crimes, while the U.S.
Code provides a list of all federal crimes.
For a list of crimes in your state or local municipality, it is best to check your local penal code.

How do I know if a crime is a felony or a misdemeanor?

For a list of crimes in your state or local municipality, it is best to check your local penal code.
While specific criminal acts may vary by jurisdiction, they can be broadly characterized as “felonies” and “misdemeanors.” Felonies include:

more serious crimes

like murder or rape

and are usually punishable by imprisonment of a year or more.

What happens if you violate a criminal code?

Federal, state, and local governments all have penal codes that explain the specific crimes that they prohibit and the punishments that criminals may face.
Individuals who violate federal, state, and local laws may face fines, probation, or incarceration.