The distinguishing feature of criminal law is the element of punishment. The purpose of criminal law is to punish the wrongdoers. If someone is accused of a crime and subsequently convicted of that crime, then they are to be punished. That is dramatically different than the purpose of civil law. Generally, civil law is intended to compensate someone for an injury suffered or to undo a wrong that has been committed. In the field of criminal law, the victim is not necessarily compensated, but the perpetrator is punished. In the eyes of the criminal justice system, the purpose of that punishment is to help reform the perpetrator; to restrain future misconduct by that perpetrator; to create a system of deterrents to other potential perpetrators; and, finally, to obtain retribution for the crime that has been committed.
Although most criminal prosecutions are initiated against individuals, there are certain types of crimes for which corporate entities may be responsible. Those crimes fall under the category financial crimes – fraud and other types of financial transactions.
The ultimate punishment allowed in our criminal justice system is that of Capital Punishment. That form of punishment is reserved for the most heinous crimes.
Criminal law is a complicated process one which must be handled by an experienced Sacramento criminal lawyer. If you have been arrested or charged with a crime contact a Sacramento criminal attorney at the Law Offices of Choyce & Crowell today.
CHOYCE & CROWELL
980 9th Street, 16th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
Office: 916-449-9636
Fax: 916-449-9637
Sacramento DUI Sacramento Criminal Defense Sacramento Traffic Lawyer Sacramento Auto Accident Attorney Sacramento Wrongful Death Lawyer Sacramento DUI Lawyer Sacramento Criminal Attorney Sacramento Personal Injury Sacramento Auto Accident Lawyer Sacramento Criminal Defense Lawyer Sacramento DUI Attorney Sacramento Criminal Lawyer Sacramento Traffic Attorney Sacramento Criminal Defense Attorney Sacramento Wrongful Death Attorney
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)