Criminal Law

Criminal law refers to the body of laws that aim to punish and rehabilitate those who engage in harmful conduct to society’s property, health, and moral welfare. 

Criminal law is made unique by the harsh consequences offenders face, ranging from incarceration to fines. Every crime is composed of criminal elements. 

On behalf of the state, the prosecution needs to prove a principle that places importance on the presumption of innocence beyond a reasonable doubt.

Historically, criminal law has been the hallmark of a well-functioning society built on the tenets of justice and protection. 

Criminal law possesses four main objectives:

1. Retribution: retribution refers to the need to punish those who have inflicted harm on others
2. Deterrence: criminal law aims to prevent individual offenders from repeating crimes and to prevent members of society from entertaining the prospect of committing them
3. Rehabilitation: the criminal justice system aims to reform individuals and ensure they recognise the harmful nature of their wrongdoing
4. Incapacitation: Incapacitation is designed to keep offenders separate from society to ensure the public is at large is protected from their conduct