Criminal Law Basics

Criminal Law is the name given to the branch of law that governs an individual's relationship to the state. It includes the definitions of criminal offenses, which are usually established by Congress or state legislatures. The term "criminal law" also encompasses the rights of an accused and the criminal process, including arrest, arraignment, grand juries, pleas, discovery, pretrial hearings, trials, jury selection, evidence, motions, and posttrial remedies. The main purpose of the criminal law is to set forth the punishment for criminal offenses. In order to prove any crime, no matter how serious, the prosecutor must prove that the accused committed a guilty act with a guilty mind beyond a reasonable doubt. Please read on to find a criminal defense attorney, criminal lawyer, criminal attorney or to learn more about criminal law.

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Criminal Law Basics Articles

State Specific Resources

-		Criminal Process in Your State
-		State Criminal Codes and Statutes	-		State Crime Victim Assistance Web sites

Articles

-		Crime and Criminal Law Basics	-		Punishment Of Crime
-		Criminal Justice Process	-		Public Defenders
-		Megan's Law & Sex Offender Registry	-		Restraining Orders
-		Prisoner's Rights	-		Assault and Battery
-		Bail Bonds	-		Forensic Evidence Labs Are Under the Microscope
-		Osborne Due Process and DNA Tests After Conviction
Criminal Law Basics FAQs
-		Criminal Definition FAQ	-		Criminal Appeals FAQ
-		Criminal Law Procedure FAQ	-		Sentencing, Parole and Probation FAQ
-		Criminal Law Expungement FAQ
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