Criminal Law Guide, Resources & information

Criminal law (also known as penal law) is the body of common law that punishes criminals for committing offences against the state. There are four theories of criminal justice: punishment, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation. It is believed that imposing sanctions for the crime, society can achieve justice and a peacable social order. This differs from civil law in that civil actions are disputes between two parties that are not of significant public concern.

International criminal law is an autonomous branch of law which deals with international crimes and the courts and tribunals set up to adjudicate cases in which persons have incurred international criminal responsibility. It represents a significant departure from 'classical' international law which was mainly considered law created by states for the benefit of states, but tended to ignore the individual as a subject of the law.

Know your rights and exercise them for a safe, better future.