Which acts constitute a family offense?

• A. Disorderly conduct, harassment, sexual abuse, stalking, criminal mischief, menacing, or assault
• B. Burglary
• C. Fraud
• D. Trespass

Answer: (A)

In New York, a family offense is an offense committed by a family or household member against another family or household member. The acts that fall into this category include disorderly conduct, harassment, stalking, sexual abuse, criminal mischief, menacing, and assault when they’re directed at someone with whom the offender has a family or household relationship. Those are the kinds of offenses the statute targets to protect people in close personal relationships.

Burglary, fraud, and trespass are general crimes that don’t require a family or household relationship between the offender and the victim, so they aren’t categorized as family offenses. They can be crimes in their own right, but they don’t fit the family-offense framework.