criminal law
Criminal law is a branch of law that defines crimes, prescribes punishments, and regulates
the process for apprehending, trying, and punishing individuals who commit criminal
offenses. It primarily serves to protect society by prohibiting harmful or threatening conduct
and ensuring social order[1][5][6].
## Key Characteristics
- Criminal law involves prohibiting and punishing conduct considered threatening, harmful, or
dangerous to individuals or society at large[1][6].
- It is binding on all persons within a jurisdiction, punishes offenses committed within its
territory, and is uniformly applied without discrimination[3].
- Crimes typically require both a wrongful act (actus reus) and a guilty mind or intent (mens
rea) for liability, although some offenses impose strict liability regardless of intent[4][5].
## Purpose of Criminal Law
- To protect society and maintain public order by deterring and punishing criminal
behavior[4][6].
- To provide retribution, rehabilitation, and prevent further crimes by offenders[4].
- To establish clear distinctions of right and wrong in society through legal rules and
sanctions[4].
## Types of Crimes
- Felonies: Serious crimes like murder, robbery, rape, arson.
- Misdemeanors: Lesser offenses like petty theft, minor assaults, traffic violations[5][6].
In summary, criminal law defines offenses against the community, sets out rules for
prosecuting offenders, and imposes penalties intended to uphold law, order, and
justice[1][5][6].
Citations:
[1] Criminal law | Definition, Types, Examples, & Facts
https://www.britannica.com/topic/criminal-law
[2] Criminal law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criminal_law
[3] Characteristics of Criminal Law | PDF
https://www.scribd.com/document/481050984/CHARACTERISTICS-OF-CRIMINAL-LAW
[4] Criminal Law in India https://blog.ipleaders.in/criminal-law-in-india/
[5] criminal law | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/criminal_law
[6] Criminal Law Definition, Types & Examples - Lesson
https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-is-criminal-law-definition-purpose-types-cases.html
[7] Special Characteristics of Criminal Law https://biotech.law.lsu.edu/books/lbb/x23.htm
[8] Criminal law | Definition, Types, Examples, & Facts
https://www.lloydlawcollege.edu.in/blog/criminal-law-details.html
[9] India's Three Criminal Laws: Key Elements & Features
https://www.lexisnexis.in/blogs/indias-three-criminal-laws-key-elements-features/
