The type of crimes that come up will probably differ from place to place, but here are some

contenders:

Shoplifting (n), to shoplift (v) - to take something from a shop without paying

Drunk driving (n), to drive drunk (v) / to drive under the influence (v) - to drive a vehicle
while affected by alcohol

Assault (n), to assault (v) - a physical attack

Murder / homicide (n), murderer (n, person), to murder (v) - to kill another person on
purpose

Vandalism (n), vandal (n, person), to vandalize (v) - to damage or deface something, more
often to public property

Drug dealing (n), to deal drugs (v) - to sell drugs

The following similar terms can be confusing for students. Point out that you
can rob or burgle a house, but it’s impossible to steal a house.

Theft (n), thief (n, person), to steal (v) - to wrongfully take something that belongs to
someone else

Robbery (n), robber (n, person), to rob (v) - to steal from, to take from someone by force

Burglary (n), burglar (n, person), to burgle (v) - to break into a home or business and steal
from it

Kidnapping (n), kidnapper (n, person), to kidnap (v) - the crime of taking someone away by
force and demanding money in exchange for releasing them (ransom)
A key verb used with several crimes is commit, as in to commit a crime. It basically means do in
these situations. See these other examples:

Arson (n), arsonist (n, person), to commit arson (v) - the crime of setting fire to something,
like a building

Fraud (n), fraudster (n, person), to commit fraud (v) - to illegally cheat somebody to get
money or something else

Bribe (n), bribery (n), accept the bribe/ take the bribe/bribe sb with sth/bribe sb to do
sth (v) - to try to make someone do something for you by giving them money, presents, or
something else that they want

Here are some other important terms that come up in the question set:

Punishment (n), to punish (v) - to make a person suffer because they have done something
wrong (e.g. jail time or a fine)

Self-defence (n) - protecting oneself

Rehabilitation (n), to rehabilitate (v) - to help someone to return to a healthy or non-

criminal lifestyle

Death penalty (n) - the punishment of being killed (executed) – sentenced to death

To get away with something (phr. v) - to do something bad and avoid punishment or avoid
being identified as the wrongdoer