CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Ch. 4 Warm-Ups
Warm-Up #1: Classifications of Crime
Crimes are classified as felonies, misdemeanors, or infractions. An infraction is less serious than a misdemeanor
and is usually punishable by a small fine. A misdemeanor is a less serious crime than a felony and is usually
punishable by a fine of not more than $2,500 or by imprisonment of not more than one year. A felony is a more
serious crime than a misdemeanor. It is punishable by imprisonment of more than one year. In 32 states, the
most serious felonies are punishable by death.
Donell is stopped by police in Delaware for driving 65 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. Under Delaware
law, reckless driving is defined to include exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 miles per hour.
1. Do you think Donell has committed an infraction, a misdemeanor, or a felony? What punishment might he
receive? Write two or three sentences for your answer/opinion. Why do you think reckless driving is classified
this way?
2. Write down what you think are 2 examples of felonies.
3. Write down what you think are 2 examples of misdemeanors.
4. Write down what you think are 2 examples of infractions.
Warm-Up #2: Parties to Crimes
Crimes are sometimes committed by more than just one person. Most of us have seen a movie in which a group of
people decide to rob a bank. Usually, there are about five people involved in planning the heist.
Example
Bob, Karen, and Joe go into the bank for the robbery; Sarah drives the getaway car; and Keith comes to his senses
and backs out. After the robbery, several of the robbers told family members what they had done. Karen's
parents fixed up a hiding place for her in the attic. Joe's girlfriend helped him leave the county so the police
wouldn't catch him. Bob's wife was horrified. Although she didn't tell the police where her husband was, she
refused to help Bob in any way.
In this scenario, there are several parties to the crime: principals, accomplices, and accessories after the fact. The
principal is the person who actually engages in the act that constitutes the crime. An accomplice is a person who
helps complete the crime or who aids or encourages the principal to commit the crime. An accessory after the
fact is a person who, knowing that a crime has been committed, assists the criminal in order to help him or her to
escape punishment.
1. In the bank robbing example, who acted as principals? Explain why these people would be charged with the
crime of robbery.
2. In the bank robbing example, who acted as accomplices? Explain why these people would be charged with
the crime of accomplice to robbery.
3. Which of these people acted as accessories after the fact? Explain why these people would be charged with
the crime of accessory to robbery.
Warm-Up #3: Categories of Crimes
There are four principal categories of crimes. They are:
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crimes against the person
crimes against personal property
crimes against the home or dwelling
crimes against the judicial system
Name at least two crimes that you think would fall within each of the four categories.
WARM-UP #4: Conspiracy & Solicitation
1. A conspiracy is an agreement between 2 or more persons to commit a crime, coupled with an intent by at
least 2 of the persons to see that the crime is committed. For a conspiracy to be present, at least 2 people must
agree to commit a crime and at least 2 people must intend that the crime actually be committed. In addition,
most states now require that there be some overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy. However, in contrast to
an attempt, mere preparation is a sufficient act for a conspiracy.
Hank and Steve are coworkers. They get together in a hotel room and start planning the embezzlement of millions
of dollars from the company. It turns out that Steve is serving as an informant for the police and is wearing a
surveillance microphone.
Is either Hank or Steve guilty of a conspiracy? Why or why not? Write at least 3 sentences for your answer.
2. When someone urges, advises, asks, entices, or commands another person to commit a crime with the intent
that the person actually commits the crime, he or she is guilty of solicitation. It does not matter if the person
who is encouraged to commit the crime agrees to do so or if they actually commit the crime. Withdrawal-informing the police or taking some action to prevent the crime--is not a defense to solicitation.
Donna asks Martin to steal a car for her. She offers to pay him $500 if he steals one that is worth more than
$10,000. A week later, she has a change of heart and calls him to say that the deal is off.
Is she guilty of solicitation? Why or why not? Write at least 2 sentences for your answer.