2007•The Blackwell Encyclopedia of SociologyRequires access
Law, Criminal
Victoria M. Time
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Abstract
Criminal law is a body of law that defines and grades crimes, and indicates corresponding punishments. These definitions and punishments are found in statutes and in criminal codes within each state, and within each country. Due to the dual system of government that obtains in the US, the federal government has its own criminal code different from that of the various states.