Criminal is the legal term referring to a person who has been accused of violating public law by committing a crime. The criminal justice system aims to maintain social order by investigating and prosecuting criminal acts. It uses a variety of mechanisms to penalise those who break the law, including fines, jail time, community service, and probation.
A major component of criminal justice is understanding what causes people to engage in criminal activity. This is known as criminological theory and draws on the disciplines of sociology, psychology, biology, politics, philosophy, and history in an attempt to understand the nature of criminal behaviour. This information can be used to develop programmes and interventions designed to prevent criminal behaviour from occurring in the first place.
The Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal is responsible for hearing appeals against convictions at the Crown Court and High Court levels. It is led by the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baroness (Jean) Corston.
A criminal defence solicitor is a lawyer who specialises in representing those accused of a crime. Their expertise allows them to provide guidance and support throughout the legal process and ensure that their client’s rights are protected. They are also able to offer advice on how best to proceed with a case, taking into account any previous convictions or the wishes of the victim, if there is one. In some cases, a solicitor may even recommend that their client pleads guilty to a lesser charge in order to avoid prison time or a lengthy sentence.