What type of law prosecutes acts that are considered crimes against society?

Criminal law is the body of law that pertains specifically to acts deemed as offenses against society as a whole. This branch of law is designed to maintain public order and protect individual liberties by delineating behavior that is considered harmful to individuals or the community. Under criminal law, the state, in the form of the government, prosecutes individuals or groups charged with violations of statutes that define such harmful behaviors.

Consequently, criminal law includes various offenses, including felonies and misdemeanors, and encompasses a range of legal procedures, consequences, and protections for individuals accused of crimes. The burden of proof lies with the state, which must establish the guilt of the accused beyond a reasonable doubt. This underscores the serious nature of criminal law and its role in upholding societal norms and values.

In contrast, civil law focuses on disputes between private parties, international law governs relationships between sovereign nations, and administrative law regulates the actions of governmental agencies. Each of these areas serves different purposes and addresses different types of legal matters.