Criminal law of the United States
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Criminal law is a system of laws that is connected with crimes and punishments of an individual who commits crimes. In comparison, civil law is where the case argues their issues with one entity to another entity with support of the law. Crimes can vary in definition by jurisdiction but the basis for a crime are fairly consistent regardless.[1]
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A crime has three parts: the act (actus reus), the intent, and the concurrence of the two.[2] Generally crimes can be divided into the following categories: crime against a person, crime against property, sexual crimes, public morality, crimes against the state, and Inchoate crimes.[2]
The American Model Penal Code defines the purpose of criminal law as: to prevent any conduct that cause or may cause harm to people or society, to enact public order, to define what crimes are criminal, to warn the public what is a crime, and to make the clear distinction between a minor and a serious offense.[3]