petty crime
Small-time lawbreaking
Petty crime refers to minor offenses—shoplifting, vandalism, pickpocketing, minor drug possession.
The term distinguishes these from serious felonies like armed robbery or murder.
What counts as petty varies by jurisdiction, but generally involves misdemeanors with lighter penalties: The neighborhood has seen an uptick in petty crime.
A petty criminal commits such offenses.
Inebriation in shared spaces
- disturbing the peaceCriminal public disruption
- loiteringPurposeless public lingering
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- noise violationExcessive sound lawbreaking
public nuisance · jaywalking · littering · panhandling · urinating in public · indecent exposure · vagrancy · breach of peace
Reckless driving for pleasure
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- prank callsDeceptive phone communications for amusement
- ding-dong ditchRing doorbell, then hide
- mooningBaring one's buttocks
streaking · illegal dumping · poaching · illegal fishing · truancy · underage drinking · public urination · dumpster diving
Illegal surface markings
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- property damageHarm to possessions
- keying carsDeliberately scratching automotive paint
slashing tires · spray paint · egging · broken windows · scratching
Stealing store merchandise
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- larcenyUnlawful taking of goods
- fare-dodgingTraveling without payment
stealing · swiping · filching · boosting · pocketing · phone theft · wallet theft · dine-and-dash
Illegal alcohol production/sale
- counterfeitingMaking fake money
- fare evasionNot paying transit cost
- illegal gamblingProhibited wagering activity
- benefit fraudIllegally obtaining public assistance
identity theft · card skimming · insurance fraud · license violation · tax evasion · moonshining · three-card monte
public intoxication
Inebriation in shared spaces
- disturbing the peaceCriminal public disruption
- loiteringPurposeless public lingering
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
noise violation · public nuisance · jaywalking · littering · panhandling · urinating in public · indecent exposure · vagrancy · breach of peace · rowdiness
joyriding
Reckless driving for pleasure
- trespassingUnauthorized presence on property
- prank callsDeceptive phone communications for amusement
- ding-dong ditchRing doorbell, then hide
mooning · streaking · illegal dumping · poaching · illegal fishing · truancy · underage drinking · public urination · dumpster diving · squatting
graffiti
Illegal surface markings
- taggingAttaching identifying markers
- defacementDamaging an appearance
- property damageHarm to possessions
keying cars · slashing tires · spray paint · egging · broken windows · scratching
shoplifting
Stealing store merchandise
- pickpocketingTheft from pockets
- pilferingMinor, sneaky theft
- larcenyUnlawful taking of goods
fare-dodging · stealing · swiping · filching · boosting · pocketing · phone theft · wallet theft · dine-and-dash · package theft
bootlegging
Illegal alcohol production/sale
- counterfeitingMaking fake money
- fare evasionNot paying transit cost
- illegal gamblingProhibited wagering activity
benefit fraud · identity theft · card skimming · insurance fraud · license violation · tax evasion · moonshining · three-card monte
- crimesarson, burglary, robbery, kidnapping, vandalism
- juvenile crimetruancy, vandalism, shoplifting, joyriding, underage drinking
- misdemeanorsmisdemeanor, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, shoplifting, loitering
- court termscourt, courts, judge, judges, trial
- lawlessnessanarchy, chaos, disorder, lawbreaking, wrongdoing
- public disturbancesriot, disorderly conduct, brawl, disturbing the peace, breach of peace
petty crimefelony
Serious criminal offense
violent crime · capital crime · capital offense · first-degree murder · organized crime
petty crimeheroism
Exceptional courage under duress
civic duty · compliance · virtue · good deed · philanthropy
petty crimegood deed
Benevolent act
altruism · benevolence · philanthropy · community service · volunteer work
crime, criminal, petty, pettiness, criminality, pettiest, criminologist, decriminalize, pettier