Criminal law

High school (ages 12+)
People & Society

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/criminal-law

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the legal domain?Body of law relating to crime and the punishment of offenders
2. What is the primary source of law?Predominantly established by statute, enacted by legislatures
3. What is criminal law and why does it exist?Criminal law is a set of rules that stop bad actions and help keep people safe. It tells us what is not allowed and what happens if someone breaks the rules.
4. How does criminal law help keep communities safe?By saying which actions are dangerous and setting punishments, it warns people not to do them and protects everyone.

Statute: A formal written law enacted by a legislative body.
Criminal Procedure: The official legal process for handling criminal cases, from investigation to sentencing.
Jurisdiction: The official power or authority to interpret and apply the law in a specific geographic area.
Rehabilitation: The process of helping offenders change their behavior and reintegrate into society.