Which branch of law governs actions classified as crimes?

Criminal law is the branch of law that specifically governs actions classified as crimes. This branch defines what constitutes a crime, sets out the penalties for those crimes, and provides the procedural framework for prosecuting offenders. Under criminal law, offenses are typically categorized as either felonies or misdemeanors, with felonies being more serious crimes that carry heavier penalties, including imprisonment or fines.

This area of law is distinct from civil law, which handles disputes between individuals or organizations, family law, which focuses on issues such as marriage, divorce, and child custody, and administrative law, which regulates the operations of governmental agencies. The primary goal of criminal law is to maintain social order and protect the public by deterring criminal behavior and punishing those who violate laws established to safeguard society.