Section outline

  • Criminal Law; gavel and nameplate with "Criminal Law' on itThis module examines the fundamental principles of criminal law. It describes the functions of  formal criminal law (what criminal law does and what it cannot do), how crimes differ from civil and moral wrongs, and various classification schemes used in discussing criminal law. This section also examines the sources of substantive and procedural criminal law (where we look to find our criminal law), the limitations that the constitution places on both substantive criminal law and procedural criminal law, and the important concept of the rule of law in American jurisprudence (legal theory).


    Image description: Criminal law nameplate with gavel and block
    Image credit: "Criminal Law," 2023, accessed via 

    http://alphastockimages.com/photo/11113/photo-details.html by Nick Youngson; Alpha Stock Images; License Creative Commons 3-CC BY-SA 3.0.


    Module Learning Objectives (MLO):
    Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

    3.1  Identify the differences between a criminal wrong, a civil wrong, and a moral wrong. (CLO 1, 3)
    3.2  Identify the many ways in which criminal law is classified. (CLO 1, 2, 3)
    3.3  Explain the many sources of substantive and procedural criminal law. (CLO 1)
    3.4  Explain the limits the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights place on the ability to criminalize conduct. (CLO 1, 4)

    Module Activities:

    To achieve these objectives: 

    1. Read the Module 3 Introduction
    2. Read Chapter 3 in Pressbooks Introduction to Criminal Justice (MLO 3.1, 3.2, 3.)
    3. Complete the Pressbooks Chapter 3 Practice (MLO 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4)
    4. Complete the Module 3 Written Assignment (MLO 3.2)
    5. Complete the Module 3 Discussion Forum (MLO 3.4)
    6. Complete the Module 3 Quiz (MLO 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4)

    Module Pressbooks Resources and Activities:

    You will find the following resources and activities in this module at the Pressbooks website. Click on the links below to access or complete each item.

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