Offence Classes and Named Offences

Common law offences are crimes under English criminal law, the related criminal law of some Commonwealth countries, and under some U.S. state laws.

In civil law, a contravention is a lesser offense, similar to an infraction or civil penalty in common law countries.

The crime against nature or unnatural act has historically been a legal term in English-speaking states identifying forms of sexual behavior not considered natural or decent; they are considered legally punishable offenses in those states.

Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime.

A culprit, under English law properly the prisoner at the bar, is one accused of a crime.

Gross indecency is a crime in some parts of the English-speaking world, originally used to criminalize sexual activity between men that fell short of sodomy, which required penetration.

In many common law jurisdictions (e.g., England and Wales, Ireland, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore), an indictable offence is an offence which can only be tried on an indictment after a preliminary hearing to determine whether there is a prima facie case to answer or by a grand jury (in contrast to a summary offence).

Juvenile law pertains to those who are deemed to be below the age of majority, which varies by country and culture. Usually, minors are treated differently under the law. However, even minors may be prosecuted as adults.

Misprision of felony is a form of misprision, and an offence under the common law of England that is no longer active in many common law countries.

Misprision of treason is an offence found in many common law jurisdictions around the world, having been inherited from English law.

The publication of an obscene libel was an offence under the common law of England.

Refusing to assist a police officer, peace officer or other law enforcement officer is an offence in various jurisdictions around the world.