Criminal Law
Criminal law is a term used to describe the laws that relate to crime and the procedures used to prosecute criminals within a society.
Types of Crime
A crime is a behavior that can be punished by fine, imprisonment or both. There are three types of crime: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies.
Types of infractions include:
- Traffic violations
- Parking violations
- Noise citations
Types of misdemeanors include:
- Driving while intoxicated
- Petty theft
- Trespassing
Types of felonies include:
- Murder
- Rape
- Robbery
- Kidnapping
The difference between infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies is the gravity of the crime and hence the punishment for each. An infraction is usually punishable by a fine, a misdemeanor is punishable by a sentence of one year or less in prison, and a felony is punishable by a sentence of over one year in prison.
Criminal Procedure
There are several criminal procedures that a defendant may undergo after they have been arrested. These include:
- Booking
- Arraignment
- Bail
- Preliminary hearing
- Trial
- Sentencing
- Punishment
- Appeal
Depending on the nature of the crime, the defendant will be prosecuted under federal criminal procedure or state federal procedure (varies from state to state).
If you are interested in learning more about criminal law and criminal procedure, you may want to contact a criminal law attorney for more information.
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