Criminal Law

Criminal Law is a branch of law that examines the legal regulations regarding crimes and the criminal sanctions to be applied in case of committing these crimes. Its main purpose is to maintain social order and to prevent or punish behavior that harms the rights of individuals. Criminal Law includes topics such as the definition of crimes, penalties to be applied in case of committing a crime, criminal responsibility, defense rights.

The basic elements of Criminal Law are the following:

1. Crime and Elements of Crime: Criminal Law defines crimes and determines the elements necessary for the commission of a crime. Every crime contains certain elements and the presence of these elements means that the crime has been committed.

2. Penalties: Determines the penalties to be applied when a crime is committed. Penalties can take different forms, usually imprisonment, fines, community service.

3. Criminal Responsibility: Criminal law regulates the criminal responsibility of people who commit crimes. This includes rules that determine whether a person can be held criminally liable if a crime is committed.

4. Right to Defense: Criminal law gives accused persons the right to a fair defense. It includes rights such as a fair trial in the legal process and the right to have a defense lawyer.

5. Criminal Procedure Law: Regulates the process by which criminals are tried. It includes topics such as criminal procedure law, police investigations, court proceedings, evidence collection and presentation.

Criminal law generally belongs to the category of public law because it involves the state acting on behalf of society against the offender. Each country has its own criminal law system and these systems differ depending on the culture, legal traditions and social values of that country.