What is a characteristic of Indictable Crimes?

Indictable crimes are serious offenses that can lead to significant penalties, and one of their defining characteristics is their classification into different degrees, specifically first, second, third, and fourth degrees. This classification helps to specify the severity of each crime and the corresponding potential penalties, which can include substantial fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the degree of the crime. For example, first-degree crimes often carry the most severe penalties, including longer prison sentences, while fourth-degree crimes tend to have lighter sentences.

The classification into degrees provides a structured way to address various levels of criminal behavior and allows the legal system to impose appropriate consequences based on how serious the crime is perceived to be. In contrast, other crime types, such as disorderly persons offenses or petty offenses, do not have this rigorous degree system, which underscores the specific and serious nature of indictable crimes.