Legal Definitions - lesser offense

A lesser offense is a violation of the law that is considered to be less serious than the original offense. It is also known as a lesser included offense.

For example, if someone is charged with murder, the lesser offense could be manslaughter. Manslaughter is still a serious crime, but it is considered to be less severe than murder.

Another example of a lesser offense is petty theft. This is a crime that involves stealing something that is worth a small amount of money. It is considered to be less serious than grand theft, which involves stealing something that is worth a larger amount of money.

The examples illustrate the definition because they show how a lesser offense is a crime that is similar to the original offense, but is considered to be less severe. In both cases, the lesser offense carries a lighter punishment than the original offense.