100+ Crime Words

October 6, 2023

Did you know that 34% of the adult population listens to true crime podcasts? If you are one of them, knowing and understanding crime words can give you a better grasp of the case and truly enjoy true crime.

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Words Related to Law

Table of Contents

Manslaughter

To kill another person would be classified as committing manslaughter. However, manslaughter is not the same as first-degree murder since there is no intent or plan. It is also a lesser charge than first-degree or capital murder.

A perfect example of manslaughter is if you accidentally kill someone in a car accident. Keep in mind that there are voluntary and involuntary manslaughter.

Arson

Many fires are unintentional. For instance, the National Fire Protection Association reports that space heaters account for two in five reported home fires.

However, if you deliberately set fire to a building, it is a criminal offense called arson. For an arson charge to be pressed, there must be intent. If you were to make a plan to set a fire, you could also be charged accordingly.

Fraud

As far as crime words go, fraud is a common one. This crime is when you deceive someone and receive some form of personal gain, which often involves money.

Some examples of fraud include sending out faulty checks or lying on government documents about earned income.

If you are proven guilty, depending on the severity of the case, the court can ask you to pay the amount back or sentence you to several years in prison.

Homicide

When you kill another person, you have committed homicide. Keep in mind that homicide is a very general term that encompasses several different types of murder. For instance, manslaughter is technically a homicide.

Aggravated Assault

Attacking another unsuspecting person is an aggravated assault. It means you have the intent to cause major bodily trauma to the victim.

Like other crimes, aggravated assault can be deadly. It is up to the courts to decide if the trauma is enough to count as a felony assault charge.

Heinous Crime

If you are a true crime addict, you have heard of “heinous crime.” This term refers to any unspeakable crime. For instance, sexual crimes and graphic murders are typically classified as heinous crimes.

Barrister

You won’t hear this crime word that often in the United States. But in the UK, a barrister is a lawyer who specializes in either litigation, courtroom advocacy, or both.

Bail

We hear crime words such as bail all the time, but what is it? Bail is the temporary funds spent on a person awaiting trial. If you want to get out of jail, the judge sets a price that you can pay for your temporary freedom.

The exact bail price can vary and is at the discretion of the assigned judge.

Serial Killer

What do Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, and Ted Bundy have in common? If your answer is serial killers, then you are correct.

A serial killer, as the term suggests, is a person who has killed more than three persons. Serial killers often have a distinct modus operandi (MO), which becomes their trademark. For instance, Ted Bundy’s MO was to fake an injury, approach women, and ask for help.

Death Penalty

The death penalty is the act of execution in retribution for taking another person’s life or breaking the law. In the United States, 27 states support the death penalty.

There are several ways that the death penalty can be carried out. Lethal injection, lethal gas, hanging, electrocution, and a firing squad are among the methods of execution.