Criminal Law

The area of law that deals with crime and the legal punishment of criminal offenses is called criminal law. The criminal laws of the United States are supported by different theories of criminal justice. They are punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation. Criminal law differs from civil law in that civil actions are disputes between private parties for damages, whereas in criminal cases, the government files charges against a criminal defendant seeking a conviction and a criminal sentence for an alleged offense. Generally, two elements are required to convict a defendant of a criminal offense: an overt criminal act and criminal intent. The requirement of an overt act is fulfilled when a defendant purposely, knowingly, or recklessly does something prohibited by law. In most cases, the defendant’s intent is inferred from the circumstances of the alleged offense.