The criminal justice system punishes a broad range of behaviors deemed to be detrimental to public safety. Generally, it prohibits offenses against others, but can also prohibit violations of private law, such as torts or breach of contract. It has the power to severely restrict an offender’s liberty, even up to and including the death penalty in extreme cases. In modern societies, crimes are typically defined by statutes enacted by government legislative bodies.
Crimes can be categorized by their degree of severity, and many have sub-categories that taxonomize offenses further. The most serious crimes, like murder and robbery are considered felonies. Less severe offenses, such as drug possession or larceny, are misdemeanors. Other less severe categories of crimes include civil infractions such as jaywalking and littering and acts deemed to be minor traffic offenses or public disorder.
In addition to the basic purpose of deterrence, the goal of the criminal justice system is to hold people who commit crime accountable in a targeted way, while ensuring victims are properly supported. This can be done by improving the rate of case solves, designing policies that break cycles of crime and reoffending, and prioritizing repairing harm to victims and families of offenders.
The process of holding people who commit crime accountable starts with police identifying and pursuing leads, gathering evidence, and reporting to prosecutors. The prosecutor then makes a decision about whether or not to bring charges. If charged, the person will go through a trial where they will be questioned by witnesses and presented with evidence. They will then be either found guilty or innocent and sentenced. If convicted, they may be ordered to pay fines or to serve time in prison.