high crime
Abuse of power
High crime is a serious offense against the state, distinct from ordinary criminal acts.
The phrase appears most prominently in the U.S.
Constitution's impeachment clause, where "high crimes and misdemeanors" describes conduct warranting removal from office.
The term doesn't require violation of criminal statutes—it encompasses abuses of power, betrayal of public trust, or actions incompatible with the duties of office: The committee debated whether the president's actions constituted high crimes.
Deliberate unlawful killing
- manslaughterUnlawful killing without forethought
- homicideCausing another's death
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- rapeOilseed brassica crop
arson · robbery · burglary · aggravated assault · armed robbery · carjacking · extortion · trafficking
Dishonest abuse of power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
- insider tradingIllegal securities transactions using nonpublic information
public trust · victim · recidivism · syndicate · cartel · gang violence · civil unrest · broken windows
Formal charge from jury
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- grand juryInvestigative charging body
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- defense attorneyLawyer representing the accused
trial · courtroom · evidence · testimony · witness · verdict · conviction · acquittal
Confinement in jail
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
- prisonConfinement for offenders
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- life sentenceImprisonment without release
capital punishment · death penalty · parole · probation · correctional facility · maximum security · solitary confinement · hard time
murder
Deliberate unlawful killing
- manslaughterUnlawful killing without forethought
- homicideCausing another's death
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
rape · arson · robbery · burglary · aggravated assault · armed robbery · carjacking · extortion · trafficking · treason
corruption
Dishonest abuse of power
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- embezzlementFraudulent taking of entrusted assets
insider trading · public trust · victim · recidivism · syndicate · cartel · gang violence · civil unrest · broken windows · deterrence
indictment
Formal charge from jury
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- grand juryInvestigative charging body
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
defense attorney · trial · courtroom · evidence · testimony · witness · verdict · conviction · acquittal · appeal
incarceration
Confinement in jail
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
- prisonConfinement for offenders
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
life sentence · capital punishment · death penalty · parole · probation · correctional facility · maximum security · solitary confinement · hard time · lethal injection
high crimepetty theft
Minor stealing offense
misdemeanor · petty crime · minor offense · petty offense · infraction
crime, criminal, crimes, criminals, criminality, incriminate, incrimination, decriminalize, criminalize