The mission of the Criminal Justice Section is to improve the criminal justice system and to serve its members, the profession and the public.

BJS mission: To collect, analyze, publish, and disseminate information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime, and the operation of justice systems at all levels of government. These data are critical to Federal, State, and local policymakers in combating crime and ensuring that justice is both efficient and evenhanded.

Includes the body of statutes and other laws that defines conduct which is prohibited by the government because it is held to threaten, harm or otherwise endanger the safety and welfare of the public, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on those who breach these laws.

Criminal law is much better known to laymen than civil law, as a result of journalists' reports of famous criminal trials. In talking with people about law, I find that they often misapply principles from criminal law to situations in civil (e.g., tort) law, which results in their misunderstanding. They are surprised when they learn the actual legal principles that apply to a problem. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast criminal and civil law.

Our mission is to help protect you, your communities, and your businesses from the most dangerous threats facing our nation—from international and domestic terrorists to spies on U.S. soil…from cyber villains to corrupt government officials…from mobsters to violent gangs…from child predators to serial killers. Learn more here about our work with law enforcement and intelligence partners across the country and around the globe.

The Federal Rules of Evidence generally govern civil and criminal proceedings in the courts of the United States and proceedings before U.S. Bankruptcy judges and U.S. magistrates, to the extent and with the exceptions stated in the rules. Promulgated by the U.S. Supreme Court and amended by Congress from time to time, the Federal Rules of Evidence are considered legislative enactments that have the force of statute, and courts interpret them as they would any other statute, employing traditional tools of statutory construction in applying their provisions.

The United States Sentencing Commission is an independent agency in the judicial branch of government. Its principal purposes are: (1) to establish sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts, including guidelines to be consulted regarding the appropriate form and severity of punishment for offenders convicted of federal crimes; (2) to advise and assist Congress and the executive branch in the development of effective and efficient crime policy; and (3) to collect, analyze, research, and distribute a broad array of information on federal crime and sentencing issues, serving as an information resource for Congress, the executive branch, the courts, criminal justice practitioners, the academic community, and the public.

The National Center for Victims of Crime works to make sure all crime victims get the assistance and information they need. We are committed to doing our best to help you.

NCJRS is a federally funded resource offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide.

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) was established by the 1984 Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) to oversee diverse programs that benefit victims of crime. OVC provides substantial funding to state victim assistance and compensation programs-the lifeline services that help victims to heal.

To enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law; to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic; to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior; and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.

The CJS is one of the major public services in the country. Across the CJS, agencies such as the police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts and the National Offender Management Service work together to deliver criminal justice. The work of these agencies is overseen by three government departments: the Ministry of Justice, the Home Office and the Attorney General's Office.

The European Criminal Bar Association ( ECBA) is an association of independent specialist defence lawyers. The association itself if wholly independent and free from outside interference. Its affairs are managed by an executive committee and advisory board elected by the membership in general assembly every three years. Members are motivated by their desire to keep up to date with professional developments, to be fully informed of developments at European level which affect their clients, and by their motivation to protect and resist where necessary any attempted diminution of defence rights.

Under Canada’s federal system, the administration of justice is an area of shared jurisdiction between the federal government and the provinces. The Department supports the Minister of Justice in his responsibilities for 49 statutes and areas of federal law by ensuring a bilingual and bijural national legal framework principally within the following domains: criminal justice (including youth criminal justice); family justice; access to justice; Aboriginal justice; and, general public law and private international law.

International criminal law is an autonomous branch of law which deals with international crimes and the courts and tribunals set up to adjudicate cases in which persons have incurred international criminal responsibility. It represents a significant departure from 'classical' international law which was mainly considered law created by states for the benefit of states, but tended to ignore the individual as a subject of the law.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices.

The Master's programme is designed for those who seek to develop a unique insight in International Criminal Law, its implementation and the International Organisations' activities in the area. In particular, it is aimed at: University Graduates in Law, Political Science, International Relations, or equivalent qualifications; Young professionals in government institutions, local authorities, international organisations, NGOs; Lawyers seeking a specialisation in the field of international criminal justice.

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court includes 2,500 organizations around the world working in partnership to strengthen international cooperation with the ICC; ensure that the Court is fair, effective and independent; make justice both visible and universal; and advance stronger national laws that deliver justice to victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The objective of ECLAN is to promote academic research and education on the field of European Criminal Law.

Most legal scholars agree that a recognizable body of international criminal law does exist. However, the precise parameters of this body of law are often unclear, perhaps due to the rapid and complex developments of our global society. In its widest context, the source of international criminal law might be derived from the general principles of international law recognized by civilized nations; and therefore, found in the customary law accepted by states, the general criminal law recognized by nations, and the treaties which govern particular conduct.

The International Criminal Court (ICC), governed by the Rome Statute, is the first permanent, treaty based, international criminal court established to help end impunity for the perpetrators of the most serious crimes of concern to the international community.

The International Criminal Law Bureau is a group of highly-qualified lawyers with unrivalled expertise in international criminal law, international humanitarian law, human rights law and criminal law. The Bureau’s lawyers provide clients with the skill and experience needed to handle the most complex international criminal cases, political situations and problems. The Bureau provides advice, consultancy and training services to States, international organisations, international courts and private clients.

For the advancement of international criminal law professional and social interaction between academics, policymakers and legal professionals on a worldwide level is essential. In addition, with the establishment of new institutions such as the ICC and Eurojust, the exchange of knowledge needs to be structured.

The International Criminal Law Society is actively engaged in dissemination of knowledge about and implementation of international criminal law, so that perpetrators of the most serious international crimes will no longer benefit from impunity.

These rules govern the conduct of all criminal proceedings brought in Federal courts.

The purpose of this guide is to provide researchers with a selective quick guide to basic and significant materials, both print and electronic, in the topic area of international criminal law and its processes. As a hyperlinked, contextual guide, it is not intended as a substitute for the compilation of any updated, comprehensive bibliography by using electronic indexes and catalogues and their print equivalents (for older and historic materials).

An exhaustive list of publications regarding laws, regulations, liability and various legal issues dealing with criminal / penal law and the Criminal Code.

Articles written by attorneys and experts worldwide discussing legal aspects related to Criminal Law including: arson, assault, battery, bribery, burglary, child abuse, child pornography, computer crime, controlled substances, credit card fraud, criminal defense, criminal law, drugs and narcotics, DUI, DWI, embezzlement, fraud, expungements, felonies, homicide, identity theft, manslaughter, money laundering, murder, perjury, prostitution, rape, RICO, robbery, sex crimes, shoplifting, theft, weapons, white collar crime and wire fraud.

Arson is the malicious burning or exploding of the dwelling house of another, or the burning of a building within the curtilage, the immediate surrounding space, of the dwelling of another. Modern legislation has extended the definition of arson to include the burning or exploding of commercial and public buildings—such as restaurants and schools—and structures—such as bridges.

Assault is an act, usually consisting of a threat or attempt to inflict bodily injury upon another person, coupled with the apparent present ability to succeed in carrying out the threat or the attempt if not prevented, that causes the person to have a reasonable fear or apprehension of immediate harmful or offensive contact. Whereas, Aggravated Assault is a criminal assault accompanied by circumstances that make it more severe, such as the victim suffering serious bodily injury or an assault committed with a dangerous and deadly weapon. The additional circumstances that make the act an aggravated assault are set by statute.

Battery is the willful or intentional touching of a person against that person’s will by another person, or by an object or substance put in motion by that other person. Offensive touching can constitute battery even if it does not cause injury, and could not reasonably be expected to cause injury.

The crime of Bribery is defined as giving or taking money or some other valuable item in order to influence a public official (any governmental employee) in the performance of his/her duties. Bribery includes paying to get government contracts (cutting the roads commissioner in for a secret percentage of the profit), giving a bottle of liquor to a building inspector to ignore a violation or grant a permit, or selling stock to a Congressman at a cut-rate price, as examples.

Burglary is the criminal offense of breaking and entering any dwelling or building illegally with the intent to commit a felony or crime. Burglary laws vary by state. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, it can be classified into different degrees. Degrees of burglary are defined by each state's laws.

Child Abuse also called Child Maltreatment is the physical and/or psychological/emotional mistreatment of children. Physical or sexual abuse are the most obvious types of abuse, since they often leave physical evidence behind but emotional abuse and neglect are also serious types of child abuse. Child Abuse is enforced by international, federal, state and local laws.

Child Pornography is defined as the visual depiction of minor children under the age of 18 engaging in sex acts such as sexual intercourse, masturbation or oral sex and photographs or depictions of children’s genitalia. The law prohibits any form of distribution, possession, trafficking or production of such materials. Laws governing this area of practice are enforced by international, federal and state laws.

Computer Crimes are defined as illegal activities carried out on or by means of a computer. Computer crime includes criminal trespass into another computer system, theft of computerized data, and the use of an on-line system to commit or aid in the commission of fraud. Computer Crime Laws include the use of Internet and Cyberspace to commit or conduct criminal activities. Illegal activities include hacking, spamming, identify theft, fraud, child pornography, cyber terrorism and espionage to name a few.

Controlled Substances Law is enforced by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The DEA deals with the arrest of members of organizations involved in the growing, manufacturing, trafficking or the distribution of controlled substances such as chemicals, drugs, or compounds of which the use and/or purchase is illicit.

Credit card fraud is a kind of fraud committed to make purchases using someone else’s credit card or credit card number with the intent to defraud. Common forms of credit card fraud include counterfeiting credit cards, using lost or stolen cards, and fraudulently acquiring credit cards through the mail. Credit card fraud is also related to identity theft.

Drug Crimes and Charges Law deals with all state, federal and international laws that govern the use, penalties, restrictions and regulations that apply to drug possession, trafficking, distribution and manufacturing.

Driving under the influence of alcohol (driving while intoxicated, drunk driving, drinking and driving, drink-driving) or other drugs, is the act of operating a motor vehicle (and even a bicycle, boat or horse in some jurisdictions) after having consumed alcohol, to the degree that mental and motor skills are impaired. It is a crime or offense in most countries around the world.

Identity Theft sometimes called Identity Fraud occurs when someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's identifying information like the person’s name, social security number or credit card number, without permission, usually for financial gain. Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in North America.

Internet and Cyberspace Crime Law deals with all aspects of crimes committed via the Internet and the legal authorities who enforce these laws. This area of law is regulated by international as well as United States federal and state laws. You can find additional information regarding this area of practice in our Computer Crimes Section.

The most common white-collar offenses include: antitrust violations, computer and internet fraud, credit card fraud, phone and telemarketing fraud, bankruptcy fraud, healthcare fraud, environmental law violations, insurance fraud, mail fraud, government fraud, tax evasion, financial fraud, securities fraud, insider trading, bribery, kickbacks, counterfeiting, public corruption, money laundering, embezzlement, economic espionage and trade secret theft. According to the federal bureau of investigation, white-collar crime is estimated to cost the United States more than $300 billion annually.