legal sac

• Purposes of criminal law


  • Maintain social order
  • Deter criminal behavior
  • Protect individuals and property
  • Provide justice for victims
• Presumption of innocence


  • A person is considered innocent until proven guilty
  • The burden of proof is on the prosecution to provide evidence and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty
• Actus reus


  • The "guilty act" in criminal law
  • The physical or external element of a crime, such as the actions or conduct that constitutes a criminal offense
  • In order to establish criminal liability, both the actus reus and the mens rea must be present
• Mens rea


  • The "guilty mind" or the mental state of the person committing a crime
  • Involves the intention, knowledge, or recklessness of the individual when they engage in the prohibited act
• Age of criminal responsibility


  • The minimum age at which a person can be held legally responsible for their actions in the criminal justice system
  • In many jurisdictions, the age is generally set at 10 to 14 years old
• Strict liability


  A person can be held liable for the consequences of their actions, even if they did not intend to cause harm or were not aware of the potential risks involved
• Doli incapax


  Children of a certain age are presumed to be incapable of understanding the nature and consequences of their actions
• Burden of proof


  The responsibility of the prosecution in a criminal case to provide evidence and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty
• Standard of proof


  • The level of certainty or evidence required to establish guilt in a criminal case
  • In most criminal cases, the standard of proof is "beyond a reasonable doubt"
• Types of crimes


  • Personal crimes
  • Property crimes
  • Financial crimes
  • Drug crimes
  • Cybercrimes
  • White-collar crimes
• Summary offences


  Less serious offences that are usually heard and determined in the Magistrates' Court
• Indictable offences


  More serious crimes that are generally heard in higher courts, such as the County Court or Supreme Court
• Participants in crime


  • Principal offenders
  • Accessory offenders