{"id":352192,"date":"2016-04-04T10:42:13","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:42:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics.html"},"modified":"2024-07-30T16:52:00","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T21:52:00","slug":"criminal-law-basics","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-law-basics.html","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Law Basics"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n \n Criminal Law Basics\n <\/h1>\n \n This overview discusses various criminal law basics. It covers criminal statutes, criminal procedures, and the potential outcome of a criminal case.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n By Olivia Wathne, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Society determines what conduct is dangerous to citizens and damages society as a whole. In most cases, it will label that conduct as a civil or criminal offense. In a criminal case, the state "presses charges" against the person. In a civil case, an individual brings a case against another individual or entity.<\/p>\r\n\n\n \n \n \n \n Criminal Law Overview\n \n <\/i>\n <\/span>\n <\/button>\n <\/h2>\n \n