Criminal Law

Sources of American Criminal Law include:

• Statutory law

• Case law

• Administrative law

• Constitutional law

Law created by legislative bodies.

• Constitutional law

• Statutory law

• Case law

• Administrative law

Law created by an administrative body to carry out their duties and responsibilities.

• Constitutional law

• Statutory law

• Case law

• Administrative law

Law created by courts that set precedent for future decisions.

• Constitutional law

• Statutory law

• Case law

• Administrative law

Maintain social order and protect citizens from harm.

• Corpus delicti

• Legal function

• Actus reus

• Social function

Teach public boundaries and reflect the values of the public.

• Corpus delicti

• Legal function

• Actus reus

• Social function

Proof that a specific crime has been committed by someone.

• Actus reus

• Legal duty

• Corpus delicti

• Mens rea

The voluntary act of a crime.

• Legal duty

• Plan of attempt

• Mens rea

• Actus reus

Steps taken to commit a crime coupled with the intent and ability.

• Legal duty

• Plan of attempt

• Mens rea

• Actus reus

The body of the crime.

• Actus reus

• Corpus delicti

• Mens rea

• Plan of attempt