FIN 240: Chapter 6 Criminal Law and Cybercrime Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key legal terms, offenses, defenses, and standards from Chapter 6: Criminal Law and Cybercrime.

Felony

A serious criminal offense, commonly punishable by more than one year imprisonment.

Misdemeanor

A less serious offense, commonly punishable by up to one year in jail.

Petty offense

A minor criminal or regulatory offense.

Actus reus

The prohibited act or omission element of a crime.

Mens rea

The culpable mental state required for an offense.

Beyond a reasonable doubt

The high burden of proof required for a criminal conviction.

Robbery

Taking property from a person by force or threat.

Burglary

Unlawful entry with intent to commit an offense inside.

Larceny

The wrongful taking and carrying away of another's personal property with required intent.

Embezzlement

Fraudulent conversion of property entrusted to the defendant.

Forgery

Fraudulent creation or alteration of legally significant writing.

Bribery

Improperly offering or receiving value to influence conduct.

Insider trading

Prohibited securities trading based on material nonpublic information under applicable duties.

Money laundering

Transactions intended to disguise the source or ownership of illegally obtained money.

RICO

Federal racketeering statute addressing qualifying patterns of criminal activity.

Miranda warning

Advice of rights before custodial interrogation by law enforcement.

Self-defense

Use of proportionate force to address qualifying imminent threats.

Necessity defense

Claim that unlawful action was needed to avoid a greater imminent harm.

Cybercrime

Criminal conduct involving computers, networks, or digital systems.