General Principles

Question 1

What is Criminal Law?

Answer 1

• Criminal Law is a branch of national law, specifically public law which defines certain forms of human misconduct as crimes and provides punishment’s for persons whom unlawfully and with a guilty mind commit these crimes.
• The state sets out norms which binds all members of society and if violated, are considered as offenses. It may affect individuals and community.
• The burden of proof lies on the state to prove that the accused is guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that it fits all five elements of a crime.
• Most criminal law is uncodified and has transformed since democracy.