What is criminal law?

• A. A system of laws concerned with punishment of individuals who commit crimes
• B. A set of civil remedies
• C. Rules for contract disputes
• D. International treaties

Answer: (A)

Criminal law is the body of rules that defines acts that are offenses against society and prescribes punishments for those who commit them. It’s enforced by the state, with the goal of maintaining public order, deterring crime, and punishing guilty individuals. This focus on offenses that harm the public distinguishes it from civil law, which handles private disputes between individuals or organizations and typically provides remedies like damages rather than punishment. Civil remedies include things like damages or injunctions, and contract disputes are part of that civil realm. International treaties are agreements between states and do not establish domestic criminal penalties in the same way; criminal law within a country governs offenses and penalties for individuals.