8: Criminal Law
- Page ID
- 41868
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- Understand what crime is and learn about common business crimes.
- Compare and contrast the differences between criminal law and civil law.
- Understand the constitutional protections given to those accused of committing a crime.
- Explore the exceptions to the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement.
A crime is a social harm that the law punishes. At the most basic level, criminal statutes reflect the rules that must be followed for a civil society to function. Like individuals, businesses can be both victims and perpetrators of crime.
Crime affects businesses both from outside and inside the organization. Criminal activity “from the outside” may include property damage, theft, shoplifting, corporate espionage, fraud, and arson. Threats “from the inside” may include crimes such as embezzlement, computer crimes, and fraud. Moreover, businesses must also protect themselves from the bad judgment and behavior of their employees. If an employee acting within the scope of employment commits a crime from which the business will benefit, then the business can be convicted of the crime, too. Businesses may actively perpetrate crime, through a bad corporate culture or through organized crime, such as money laundering.
Criminal convictions result in more than loss of liberty. Having a conviction on your record can mean inability to obtain certain jobs, to gain admission to college, to vote, and to rent or lease a home. Convictions affect a person’s life for much longer than the actual sentence imposed. Make sure you hire an attorney if you are ever faced with a criminal charge. Know your rights and understand the specific laws applicable to your field. When in doubt, consult with an attorney, accountant, or other professional in your field. ~Krista S., attorney
- 8.2: The Nature of Criminal Law
- This page explores the impact of crime on business, asserting there are no victimless crimes. It distinguishes between criminal and civil law, highlighting the differing standards of proof: "beyond a reasonable doubt" for criminal cases and "preponderance of the evidence" for civil cases. Additionally, it categorizes crimes into felonies, misdemeanors, white-collar, and blue-collar crimes, stressing the significance and context of each category.
- 8.3: Constitutional Rights and Defenses
- This page outlines the rights guaranteed to individuals accused of crimes under the US Constitution, primarily through the Bill of Rights, including protections against illegal searches, self-incrimination, and ensuring a fair trial. It highlights key amendments such as the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth, as well as the Fourteenth Amendment's extension to state prosecutions. The exclusionary rule and defenses like entrapment are also mentioned as safeguards against police misconduct.
- 8.4: Common Business Crimes
- This page discusses various business crimes like fraud, embezzlement, and Ponzi schemes, highlighting their definitions and legal implications. It notes the RICO Act's role in combatting organized crime and enabling civil suits with triple damages for affected parties. RICO charges can stem from multiple offenses over a decade, resulting in severe penalties. The summary emphasizes the importance for businesses to safeguard against criminal activities to lessen potential risks.
- 8.5: Concluding Thoughts
- This page discusses the impact of crime on society and the importance of protecting businesses against fraud and theft. It highlights the differences between criminal and civil law, emphasizing the burden of proof required in criminal cases. The page also outlines essential protections for the accused provided by the US Constitution, including rights against unlawful searches and self-incrimination, illustrating the balance between law enforcement and individual rights.