When you hear the word Criminal, you may think of people like murderers and robbers. But this term can actually describe anyone who breaks the law — including tax cheats and traffic violators. The purpose of criminal law is to protect society by deterring crime, punishing those who commit crimes, and rehabilitating those convicted of criminal acts. This is done through a process called criminal procedure, which includes an arraignment, a trial, and sentencing.

In order to be considered a criminal act, the act or behavior must meet three criteria: it must have been an intentional action; it must have caused a victim; and it must be against public policy. These requirements are established in statutes and referred to as mens rea, Latin for guilty mind. While most crimes require intent, some minor offenses, such as parking violations, may be based on strict liability, which does not require prosecutors to establish intent.

A criminal conviction is typically punished by incarceration. This punishment is meant to prevent future crime by removing offenders from the environment that could influence their actions and provide them with an opportunity for rehabilitation. Alternative punishments such as community service and education are also becoming increasingly popular.

Criminal law is a branch of the law that deals with offenses against public order, ranging from the most serious homicides to the lesser misdemeanors and inchoate offenses. Each state and the federal government decides what sort of conduct to criminalize, establishing its own code. These laws are often based on common law and the U.S. Constitution, and they vary widely across jurisdictions.