Kuriteo

Kuriteo is the Estonian word for crime or criminal offense. In legal and criminological contexts, kuriteo denotes any act or omission prohibited by law and punishable by the state. The concept covers acts against persons and property, as well as offenses affecting public order or state security. In Estonian law, kuritegu (singular) and kuriteod (plural) describe the crime and crimes, with definitions provided in the Penal Code and related legislation.

Classification typically follows standard categories such as violent crimes (homicide, assault), property crimes (theft, burglary, vandalism), and white-collar offenses (fraud, embezzlement). Some offenses are considered state crimes or public-order offenses. The elements usually include illegality, culpability, and causation, though precise criteria vary by statute.

Procedural handling involves police investigation, charging by prosecutors, and court adjudication. The burden of proof lies on the state to show guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Penalties range from fines and community service to imprisonment, depending on severity and statutory guidelines; additional measures such as probation or restitution may accompany sentences.

Statistics on kuriteod are collected by national authorities, such as Statistics Estonia, and help reflect trends and the effectiveness of crime-prevention policies. The concept of kuriteo aligns with international understandings of crime, though terminology and legal definitions differ across jurisdictions. In English-language texts, the term is often translated simply as crime.