This classification is still used in the US legal system, but some common law jurisdictions (United Kingdom, Republic

of Ireland, Australia, Canada) have abolished the distinction between felonies and misdemeanours and adopted other classifications. In the UK, after the Criminal Law Act 1967 had abolished the distinction between felonies and misdemeanours, two new classifications of offences based on the power to arrest and the mode of trial were introduced. The first classification was introduced by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. According to it offences were grouped into arrestable and non-arrestable. Arrestable offences included those for which there was a fixed mandatory penalty (e.g. murder), which carried a sentence of at least five years imprisonment (e.g. theft) and some other offences listed in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (e.g. possession of an offensive weapon). Police could lawfully arrest without obtaining a warrant a person who is committing an arrestable offence or who is suspected to be in the act of committing it. Non-arrestable offences were the remainder. However, in 2006, when Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 entered into power, the term arrestable offence ceased to have effect, and now, bar a few preserved exemptions, one power of arrest applies to all offences. The second classification, as mentioned above, is based on the mode of trial (see the Criminal Law Act 1967, the Criminal Law Act 1977, the Magistrates Court Act 1980). According to it, offences are grouped into three categories: (1) summary offences, (2) indictable offences and (3) offences triable either way. Summary offences are the offences that can only be tried summarily, i.e. by magistrates (justices of the peace) in the magistrates court. Indictable offences are tried on indictment, i.e. by jury in the Crown Court. Offences triable either way may be tried either summarily or on indictment. The most serious offences (e.g. murder, manslaughter, robbery, rape, causing grievous bodily harm with intent) are triable only on indictment. Offences of medium gravity, especially those the gravity of which varies greatly depending on the facts of the particular case, are triable either way (e.g. theft, obtaining property by deception, most forms of burglary). The least serious offences (e.g. common assault and battery) are triable only summarily. Where the accused is faced with an offence triable either way, he can opt for trial by jury should he so wish. If the accused does not avail himself of this right, the Magistrate has a discretion as to the appropriate mode of trial. 3. Classification of Offences according to their Object Criminal law is further divided into broad categories based on the object of the offence, each having specific offences associated with it: (1) offences against the state, (2) offences against the person, (3) sexual offences, (4) offences against the property, (5) offences against public peace and safety (public order), (6) offences relating to road traffic etc. (Draft Criminal Code Bill for England and Wales 1989, Oxford Dictionary of Law 2002).

Offences against the state affect the security of the state as a whole. The main offences in this category are treason, misprision of treason, sedition, offences involving official secrets and acts of terrorism. Offences against the person involve the use or threat of physical force against another person. This category includes homicide (murder, manslaughter), illegal abortion and child destruction, causing personal harm and assault, detention and abduction (kidnapping, hostage-taking), endangering traffic. Sexual offences involve sexual intercourse or any other sexual act. The main offences in this category are rape, indecent assault, incest, sexual relations with the mentally handicapped. Offences against the property affect another persons rights of ownership. The main offences against the property are theft and related offences (burglary, robbery), blackmail, fraud, forgery, offences of damage to property (arson), offences related to entering and remaining on property (trespassing with a weapon of offence). Some offences against the property, such as burglary, robbery and blackmail, may also contain elements of offences against the person. Offences against public peace and safety affect the smooth running of orderly society. This category includes riot, affray, harassment, acts stirring up racial hatred, possession of offensive weapon, manufacture of dangerous weapons etc. Offences relating to road traffic are offences associated with driving vehicles on public roads. The main offences in this category are careless and inconsiderate driving, causing death by careless driving, dangerous driving, causing death by dangerous driving, drunken driving, driving while disqualified, driving without insurance, driving without a licence, speeding, ignoring traffic signals, parking offences and obstruction.