What is the main focus of criminal law?

The main focus of criminal law is on punishing wrongful actions that injure the public or society as a whole. Criminal law establishes what constitutes a crime and prescribes the penalties for those crimes, encompassing offenses such as theft, assault, murder, and drug trafficking, among others. The intention behind criminal law is not just to regulate individual behavior but to maintain public order and protect the community.

In contrast, other areas of law, such as civil law, primarily deal with the rights and obligations of individuals and entities. While regulating private rights involves disputes between private parties, defining public rights can pertain to the rights of citizens in context to government actions, but these concepts do not emphasize punishment the same way criminal law does. Similarly, creating legal obligations can refer to establishing contracts or duties between parties, which is a function of civil law rather than criminal law. Thus, by focusing on actions that threaten the safety and well-being of the public, criminal law plays a crucial role in deterring harmful behavior and promoting social responsibility.