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Criminal Law: Rules and Theory

The definition of crime and the purposes of criminal law

  • 3 things to know
  • A2 Units 3 and 4

Overview

Recall questions on the line between crime and civil wrong, why proceedings are brought in the Crown's name, retribution, deterrence and denunciation, the age of responsibility, and doli incapax.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

How is a crime usually defined in English law?

Key term

Give the two elements the prosecution must normally prove for a criminal offence.

Key term

Why is a criminal case brought in the name of the Crown rather than the victim?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How is a crime usually defined in English law?

    Model answer

    A crime is conduct forbidden by the state that carries a punishment imposed on behalf of the state, prosecuted in the name of the Crown rather than by the victim.

  2. 2

    Give the two elements the prosecution must normally prove for a criminal offence.

    Model answer

    The prosecution must prove the actus reus, the prohibited conduct or state of affairs, and the mens rea, the required guilty mind.

  3. 3

    Why is a criminal case brought in the name of the Crown rather than the victim?

    Model answer

    A crime is treated as a wrong against society as a whole, so the state prosecutes on the public's behalf and the victim appears as a witness rather than as a party.

  4. 4

    Distinguish a crime from a civil wrong by who brings the action and what the court can order.

    Model answer

    A crime is prosecuted by the state and punished by sentence, while a civil wrong is sued on by the injured party and remedied by compensation or an injunction.

  5. 5

    Explain how one incident can give rise to both criminal and civil proceedings.

    Model answer

    A dangerous driver may be prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving and separately sued in negligence by the family, because the two systems pursue punishment and compensation respectively.

  6. 6

    Name the five purposes of sentencing now set out in section 57 of the Sentencing Act 2020.

    Model answer

    Punishment of offenders, reduction of crime including by deterrence, reform and rehabilitation of offenders, protection of the public, and reparation to those affected by the offence.

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Law Making in Wales and the UK
Delegated Legislation
Statutory Interpretation
Judicial Precedent

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Roles v Nathan ( ).
196319411945

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AThe defendant owed the victim a duty of care and breached it.
BThe breach carried a reasonably foreseeable risk of death.
CThe breach caused the death.

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Pecuniary loss is financial and measurable.
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