StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...

Purpose of Criminal Laws - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Each society has the option to set forth rules and laws to define and govern their behavior, attitude, and actions. For those that do, often passed at the same time is what is known as “criminal laws”. Criminal laws, in their most basic form, serve two purposes: to define what is “right” and “wrong” in a society, and to punish those that have done what is considered “wrong” in society (“What is the”, 2011)…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER95.4% of users find it useful
Purpose of Criminal Laws
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Purpose of Criminal Laws"

Download file to see previous pages

For example, a child that fails to clean their room would receive “punishment” in the form of extra chores or loss of other things they normally enjoy. For criminal law, it is no different, except that the consequences of their actions involve a loss of privilege on a greater scale, such as by imprisonment or fines (Banks, 2009). Again, if there were no punishments, there would be no reason not to commit crimes; therefore, some type of consequences must be handed out. Criminal laws seek to set consequences for and punish those that have carried out a crime by means of deterrence, as well as incapacitation, incarceration, restitution, and retribution.

People are “deterred” from actions when they refrain from carrying them out because they fear or do not want the consequences that come with the action (Banks, 2009). Criminal laws aids in this because they not only define what the laws are that cannot be broken but also set out the punishment that each law brings with it. In a state with a death penalty, for example, if someone does not wish to be punished by death, they will not commit a crime that leads them down that path. Thus, the criminal laws have done their job both in setting out the action and the punishment for it, because it has kept people from committing crimes due to the consequences imposed.

Though some question the validity of deterrence and call for stiffer penalties in certain laws (Banks, 2009), the fact remains that deterrence is a reason that criminal laws exist. Another reason that criminal laws exist is retribution. Simply put, retribution means that whoever has gone against the laws of society deserves to be punished, and it will bring a measure of peace, if not pleasure, to those that were wronged to see punishment happen. Systems of retribution for crime have long existed, with the best known being the Biblical proverb of “an eye for an eye” (Banks, 2009).

While retribution is known to be confused with revenge, it has been pointed out in law and in argument that the difference between the two is very defined: retribution involves limits set according to the seriousness of the wrongs done to society, whereas there is no limit to revenge (Banks, 2009). Take again the case of the criminal who chooses to murder and take a life in a state that has the death penalty. If convicted, they will pay with their own life through execution. One cannot argue that this is, in fact, an example of “an eye for an eye” logic in punishing someone who has done wrong.

Criminal laws also exist to provide incapacitation and incarceration measures for those that choose to go against the laws of society. Incapacitation is a theory of “incarceration”, arguing that some criminals need to be separated from society not only for what they might have done but also to protect those who have not done wrong from this individual. It is seen as a good punishment for those that commit crimes because while they are incapacitated, or incarcerated

...Download file to see next pages Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Purpose of Criminal Laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words”, n.d.)
Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1420891-purpose-of-criminal-laws
(Purpose of Criminal Laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words)
https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1420891-purpose-of-criminal-laws.
“Purpose of Criminal Laws Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/environmental-studies/1420891-purpose-of-criminal-laws.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Purpose of Criminal Laws

Criminal Sentencing

It is a purpose of criminal sentencing to protect members of the society from the wrongdoings of a criminal.... Therefore deterrence is an important purpose of criminal sentencing.... Retribution The concept of retribution is also an important purpose of criminal sentencing.... Correctional facilities should also be given to the criminals in order to stop them from committing crimes in future, rehabilitation therefore in an important purpose of criminal sentencing....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

Purposes of Criminal Laws

The concept of deterrence continues into modern times and remains the backbone of criminal law.... However, no matter the genesis, society has installed specific countermeasures in attempt to prevent criminal behaviors.... The second attempts to propel citizens from finding satisfaction through criminal behavior.... criminal law protects public order by criminalizing behaviors that are contrary to social norms, values, and/or customs....
3 Pages (750 words) Research Paper

European Council's Acting within the Powers Conferred upon It by the EC Treaty

This paper discusses the conflicts often engendered by acts of the Council that have not been introduced into the national laws of member states, as well as the integrity and applicability of its decisions.... The European Council, seeking to bolster consumer protection laws in member states, adopted a directive on May 1, 2005, granting consumers the right to cancel any mail-order purchase of goods or services if done within 15 days of placement.... nbsp;  EU member states were enjoined to implement the directive by May 1, 2007, but the UK dragged its feet on the measure and was yet to incorporate this Directive into its national laws until July 5, 2007....
9 Pages (2250 words) Assignment

Criminal Law in Hong Kong

However, Good Samaritan laws in Quebec, as well as many other European countries such as Italy, Japan, France, Belgium, Andorra, and Spain require its citizen, at minimum to call the local emergency number, unless doing so would be harmful.... This can be illustrated in Stephen's Digest of the criminal Law (fourth edition, 1887): A sees B drowning and is able to save him by holding out his hand.... The criminal law's current position in Hong Kong is very unlikely to hold A liable for any criminal offence since the basic requirement of 'voluntary conduct' is not satisfied....
11 Pages (2750 words) Essay

Criminal Law and Violation of Public Interest

nbsp; The writer will briefly introduce the concept of criminal law and investigate the case within its context.... hellip; In order to discuss John's criminal liability in the given case study, it is imperative to begin by explaining the meaning of criminal law.... rdquo; Criminal law is largely concerned with crimes that are committed against public authority and it often goes against the interests of the public at large the reason why the state would need to persecute such perpetrators of criminal offences....
7 Pages (1750 words) Assignment

What is the Purpose of Criminal Laws

This is because, it focuses to protect the expression of public morality, set boundaries for within society and provide punishment for those that violate the set… The said criminal laws serve to ensure the maintenance of values, upholding established social privileges and sustained existing power of relationships for those that violate the existent morals and values of society (Bundy, 2011). In spite of The Purpose of Criminal Laws Criminal law in its creation is based on the protection of the interests of the public without discrimination....
2 Pages (500 words) Essay

The purpose of Criminal Law

Criminal laws also safeguard civil liberties by providing protection of The purpose of criminal law al affiliation Criminal law benefits society in several ways.... criminal laws also safeguard civil liberties by providing protection of individual rights (Kubasek, Brennan & Browne, 2013).... It also provides protection to… This protection is achieved using deterrence, rehabilitation and incapacitation of offenders who break these laws....
1 Pages (250 words) Assignment

The Purpose Of Imprisonment

The essay "The purpose of Imprisonment" calls upon the history of imprisonment, as well as theoretical justification of such an act in social sciences.... And if wrongdoers compromise the basic right of people for security, whatever be the purpose of imprisonment, society has no recourse but to go for it!... Its main purpose was custodial or coercive in nature....
14 Pages (3500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us