When you hear the word Criminal, you probably think of a murderer or a thief. But the word criminal is a lot broader than that, and it includes anyone who breaks the law. Each state decides what conduct to punish, and Congress codifies federal criminal law in Title 18 of the U.S. Code, but basically, if it’s illegal, it’s criminal.
Everyone is expected to report crimes they observe in their communities. This helps the police assign officers to neighborhoods that need them most, and it prevents criminals from going undetected in areas where they have favorite targets.
The burden of proof in criminal cases is higher than that in civil trials. The prosecution must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. This is because a conviction for a crime can have serious consequences, such as prison time and loss of the right to vote.
In most jurisdictions, punishments include fines, corporal and physical punishment (such as whipping or caning), imprisonment, and other forms of government supervision. The duration of incarceration varies widely among jurisdictions. Penalties may also include restitution to victims and other reparation. Punishment has five commonly recognized purposes: retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation and restoration.
Retribution entails imposing penalties that match the severity of an offense. For example, a burglar who steals money from someone will have to return it. The deterrence function of punishment aims to discourage others from committing the same offenses. The purpose of incapacitation is to keep criminals from engaging in the same kinds of activities, while rehabilitation and restoration help rehabilitate and reintegrate offenders into society.