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By: Uchenna Ani-okoye

Defining Criminal Law

Law is a part of our everyday lives, whether we are aware of it or not. It’s in our work, our government, and even in our homes. Criminal law is one type of law, which is also referred to as Penal law. This is the body of common and statutory law which deals with legal punishment and crimes of criminal offenders.

There are four theories of criminal justice inside of criminal law:

- Incapacitation
- Punishment
- Rehabilitation
- Deterrence

This type of law is very important because through it, one is able to distinguish between civil and criminal wrongs. Criminal law has been with us for quite some time now, and is perceived as the system that regulates the behaviours of groups and individuals which dwell outside that which is considered a norm. This is different from a civil crime, where the main difference is between individuals and their obligations and rights under the law, which governs us all in society.

One example of a civil law issue would be a dispute between two or more person about a contract on the sale of a vehicle. In this kind of situation, one person may feel as though their rights for the vehicle have been breached by the actions of the other party; whereas, if it were a criminal matter, then it may involve a murder, which infringes on the rights and safety of everyone in society. From those two examples that I have given, I’m pretty sure that you can now begin to appreciate criminal law, along with its importance in our society.