Criminal law is the body of law that relates to crime. It proscribes conduct perceived as threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering the property, health, safety, and moral welfare of people inclusive of one’s self. Most criminal law is established by statute, which is to say that the laws are enacted by a legislature. Criminal law includes the punishment and rehabilitation of people who violate such laws. Criminal law varies according to jurisdiction, and differs from civil law, where the emphasis is more on dispute resolution and victim compensation, rather than on punishment or rehabilitation. Criminal procedure is a formalized official activity that authenticates the fact of commission of a crime and authorizes punitive or rehabilitative treatment of the offender.

Laws written by Congress and state legislators that make certain behavior illegal and punishable by fines and/or imprisonment. Criminal law also includes decisions by appellate courts that define crimes and regulate criminal procedure in the absence of clear legislated rules. By contrast, civil laws are not punishable by imprisonment. In order to be found guilty of a criminal law, the prosecution must show that the defendant intended to act as he did; in civil law, you may sometimes be responsible for your actions even though you did not intend the consequences. For example, civil law makes you financially responsible for a car accident you caused but didn’t intend.

Bail: Getting Out of Jail After an Arrest:

Your first thought after being arrested and taken to jail is usually how you can get out, and how fast. Posting bail is the most common way to get out of jail and most jails have standard bail schedules with specified bail amounts for common crimes. Once you have been bailed out of jail, you must comply with the conditions of release set by the judge. You can read more about general provisions regarding bail and detention in criminal cases via the United States Criminal Resource Manual.

What a Criminal Defense Attorney Will Do for You:

Criminal defense lawyers do much more than question witnesses in court. In addition to their familiarity with important legal rules and ability to negotiate deals with prosecutors, criminal defense attorneys do the following:

• Provide defendants with a knowledgeable and objective perspective on the situation
• Gather information from the prosecution’s witnesses
• Hire and manage investigators to potentially contradict prosecution witnesses
• Create sentencing programs that are tailored to specific needs of the defendant

Rights When Faced with Criminal Charges:

Anyone facing criminal charges in the United States has basic Constitutional rights, known as the Miranda Rights. The Miranda Rights are read aloud to anyone facing criminal charges and include habeas corpus, the right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney. Anyone who is facing a criminal charge should hire an experienced criminal defense attorney to represent them, to ensure that their rights are protected and that they obtain the best possible outcome. Defendants charged with crimes and facing a jail or prison sentence are usually best served by obtaining criminal charge legal services. The criminal justice system is not something most people are familiar with, and a criminal defense attorney serves as the defendant’s guide throughout the legal process.