Which crime is typically considered a victimless crime?

Asked by: Jeff Hansen Sr.  |  Last update: January 28, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (41 votes)

Victimless crimes are illegal acts, often involving consenting adults, where no identifiable individual or property is directly harmed, with common examples including recreational drug use, gambling, prostitution, public intoxication, and certain consensual sexual activities or traffic violations. These are crimes because society deems them immoral or harmful, even without a direct victim, but they involve self-harm, harm to others indirectly (like addiction), or violations of public morality rather than direct victimization.

Which crimes are considered victimless crimes?

VICTIMLESS CRIMES INCLUDE DRUG ABUSE, PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS, PROSTITUTION, VAGRANCY, AND CERTAIN VOLUNTARY SEXUAL BEHAVIOR. MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF ALL ARRESTS DURING 1975 WERE FOR VICTIMLESS CRIMES. A BREAKDOWN OF THAT CATEGORY AND THE NUMBER OF ARRESTS MADE FOR EACH CRIME ARE GIVEN.

Which of these is typically considered a victimless crime?

Definitions of victimless crimes vary in different parts of the world and different law systems, but usually include possession of any illegal contraband, recreational drug use, prostitution and prohibited sexual behavior, assisted suicide, and smuggling among other similar infractions.

Which of the following is a victimless crime in Quizlet?

Examples of victimless crimes include: prostitution, illegal gambling, drug use and vagrancy.

Which of the following is a victimless?

They include the following: gambling, substance abuse (particularly individual substance abuse), prostitution, obscenity and pornography, and the failure to use safety devices (e.g., seat belts and helmets). In some instances, homosexuality and abortion have also been considered victimless crimes.

What Is A Victimless Crime? - Jail & Prison Insider

31 related questions found

Is drug use a victimless crime?

Many people are against incarcerating people for drug use because they believe drug use is a “victimless crime.” But child deaths like these are not isolated cases, and the abuse or death of a child due to parental drug use is certainly not “victimless.” Drug and alcohol abuse, especially by parents, profoundly affects ...

Are cybercrimes victimless?

3: Cybercrime is victimless

Cybercrime can cause serious harm to individuals and organizations, including financial losses, damage to reputation, and even physical harm in some cases. Cyber attacks can also compromise sensitive information, putting individuals and businesses at risk of identity theft and other crimes.

Is assault a victimless crime?

In contrast to victimless or consensual crimes, offenses like assault, non-consensual sex crimes, and bribery or other white-collar crimes clearly affect others, highlighting the complex distinctions in how the law defines criminal behavior.

Is shoplifting a victimless crime?

In fact, many people believe that shoplifting is a victimless crime - especially since many retail stores are big box stores with a high volume of sales. This is far from true. The cumulative effect of shoplifting and theft is substantial and the losses are absorbed by us - the consumer.

What activity typically referred to as victimless crime would include?

Such offenses typically involve crimes against public order and morals. Examples are traffic violations, prostitution or gambling. Federal prosecutions in these cases can be based on 18 U.S.C. § 1152 and the Assimilative Crimes Act (18 U.S.C.

Is car theft a victimless crime?

Patel. “This is not a victimless crime; a stolen car disrupts daily life and inflicts lasting harm on innocent New Yorkers, robbing them of their sense of security and stability.

Is piracy a victimless crime?

Although at first glance, piracy might seem like a victimless crime, it's still considered theft. When you're downloading music without paying for it, it's illegal. If you're facing any type of piracy charges or related charges, you top priority needs to be speaking with a criminal defense attorney about your case.

Is tax evasion a victimless crime?

Tax fraud is not a victimless crime.

In the case involving fraudulent tax returns, the people whose identities the perpetrators stole will likely spend years trying to get their identity back, fix their credit, and get out of trouble with the IRS—all consequences that had nothing to do with their own actions.

What makes someone a victim of crime?

A victim is someone who is harmed or injured because of a crime. Justice is fairness. It means making a decision that is fair to everyone.

Is speeding a victimless crime?

Speeding contributes to nearly one-third of traffic fatalities statewide. Slow down. Lives depend on it.

Which of the following is an example of a victimless crime that might be identified through self-report statistics?

These victimless crimes include prostitution, pornography, sadomasochism, gambling, and most notably, drug crimes.

What is a victimless crime?

A victimless crime is generally an illegal criminal act that does not have an identifiable victim. Many of the laws that criminalize harmless behavior are based on opinions about morality. Assisted suicide, loitering, begging, solicitation, recreational drug use, and gambling are some examples of victimless crimes.

Is jaywalking a victimless crime?

Some people believe that jaywalking is a victimless crime, but this is not the case. Jaywalking can cause accidents that result in serious injuries or fatalities. Pedestrians who jaywalk are at risk of being hit by a vehicle, and drivers who hit a jaywalker can face legal consequences.

Do cops care about petty theft?

Yes, police do care about petty theft, but their response varies greatly due to resource limitations, department policies, and the specific circumstances; they often prioritize serious crimes, but filing reports helps track trends and can lead to action, especially with strong evidence or serial offenders. While they might issue citations for low-value thefts, they're less likely to make immediate arrests unless there's a clear link to organized crime or prior offenses, focusing instead on documentation and data for broader crime prevention. 

What are the most common victimless crimes?

Practically speaking, when law enforcement officials are investigating victimless crimes, these crimes tend to be drug use, prostitution, illegal gambling activities, public drunkenness, and/or vagrancy (Hagan, 2008). However, these activities have not always been criminalized.

Is gambling considered a victimless crime?

Crimes Against Society, e.g., gambling, prostitution, and drug violations, represent society's prohibition against engaging in certain types of activity; they are typically victimless crimes in which property is not the object.

What are the 5 types of crimes?

Five common types of crime include Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, White-Collar Crimes, Organized Crime, and Public Order Crimes, though categories can overlap, encompassing offenses like homicide (violent), burglary (property), fraud (white-collar), drug trafficking (organized/public order), and cybercrimes (cross-category).
 

What are five cyber crimes?

Here are the top five cyber crimes and what you can do to protect yourself.

  • Malware Attacks. Malware, short for “malicious software,” is designed to harm or exploit devices, networks, and users. ...
  • Phishing Scams. ...
  • Data Breaches. ...
  • Credit and Debit Card Fraud. ...
  • Identity Theft.

Are financial crimes victimless?

Although financial crimes aren't violent, they aren't victimless. They pose serious threats to people, businesses, and the U.S. economy, and HSI is committed to combating them.

Are victimless crimes constitutional?

IT IS CONCLUDED THAT VICTIMLESS CRIMES ARE, AT BEST, EXAMPLES OF THE 'OVERREACH' OF CRIMINAL LAW AND ARE, IN MANY RESPECTS, CONSTITUTIONALLY SUSPECT.