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1.1: Introduction and Chapter Learning Objectives

California Criminal Law 2026 · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Learning Objectives

    • LO 1: Describe the historical origin and development of criminal law

    • LO 2: Define what constitutes a crime

    • LO 3: Compare and contrast criminal law and criminal procedure

    • LO 4: Differentiate between criminal law and civil law

    • LO 5: Identify the sources of law

    • LO 6: Analyze the impact of precedent and Stare Decisis on the law

    • LO 7: Explain how laws are classified

    • LO 8: Analyze the effects of specific and general deterrence, incapacitation, rehabilitation, retribution, and restitution.

     

    Introduction

    This textbook introduces you to our legal system in the United States, the basic elements of a crime, the specific elements of commonly encountered crimes, and most criminal defenses. Criminal law always involves the government and government action, so you will also review the pertinent sections of the United States Constitution and its principles as they apply to criminal law. By the end of the course you will be comfortable with the legal framework that governs the careers of criminal justice professionals.

    The basic purpose of criminal law is to establish limits on certain behavior or activities that are considered harmful to society. The law is not about arbitrarily preventing them from enjoying life, laws are based on community standards and generally accepted norms.  Laws are the "tools" we use to build and maintain an orderly society.

    This page titled 1.1: Introduction and Chapter Learning Objectives was last modified on Tue, 13 Oct 2026 16:14:44 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Mark C Fields and Carmyn A. Radetic-Fields.