A crime is any behavior deemed illegal by the government or society at large. Criminal laws typically punish crimes by imposing fines or imprisonment. Criminal law includes a broad range of behaviors considered to be a threat to public safety and well-being, including murder, robbery, theft, fraud, and tax evasion.
When someone is charged with a crime, the first court hearing is known as an arraignment. At this time, the prosecutor will read the charges against the defendant in open court and ask them to plead guilty or not guilty. Most defendants choose to plead not guilty so they can have a trial before an impartial jury. They can also challenge the evidence at a preliminary hearing or make other pre-trial motions.
At the trial stage, the prosecution will present witnesses and evidence to convince a jury or judge that the defendant committed the crime. The standard of proof is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This means that the prosecution must show that there is no possibility that the defendant did not commit the crime.
After the trial, a jury will decide whether to convict or acquit the defendant of the crime(s). If the defendant is found guilty, they will be sentenced by the judge. Punishment can include fines, community service, probation, incarceration, and parole. Criminal justice is a broad field that includes sociology, psychology, biology, political science, philosophy, history, and other subjects to understand the causes of crime and the best ways to prevent it.