term:

Lesser Included Offense

lesser included offense n

: a crime (as unlawful entry) that is by definition included in the commission of another crime (as burglary) which has additional elements and greater criminal liability called also included offense NOTE: A criminal defendant may be convicted of a lesser included offense even if not charged specifically with that crime.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.