Criminal Law
Consequenses of Breaking the Law
- Criminal law consist of law written by congress and state legislatures that made certain types of behavior illegal and punishable by fines or imprisonment.
Punishment
- Those who are found guilty of breaking civil law do not go to prison
Proof of Guilt
- The burden of proving a person guilty in a criminal trial is greater.
Victim
- In a civil case, a single person brings suit. In criminal cases, society is also considered the victim of the crime.
Types of Crime
Crimes Against a Person
- Which the criminal's aim is harm to the victim physically.
Crimes Considering Property
- Which the criminal tries to steal or damage the victim's property.
Penalties for Crimes
Because a crime is considered an act against a community, not just against a victim, the government punishes criminals. A prosecuting attorney brings charges against the defendant for the government on behalf of all citizens.
- To make criminals suffer for breaking the law and pay back society for the damage caused.
- To physically stop criminals from hurting anyone else. This May be done by putting criminals in jail.
- To convince criminals not to break the law again and to discourage anyone who is thinking about committing a similar crime.
- To make criminals see that they did something wrong and help them change their ways.