Evolution of Criminal Law

Evolution of Criminal Law

Criminology studies criminal behavior in society. Criminal behavior is behavior that breaks criminal codes established by our society. In a well-constructed, one page essay (500+ words), discuss the origin, evolution, and modern day criminal law from the Code of Hammurabi to the current separation of misdemeanors and felonies. What do you see for the future of criminal law?

(NOTE: A “well-constructed” essay will be in complete sentences and paragraphs. It will be structured to include an introduction, body, and conclusion.

APA format required and references.

Throughout history, the creation and the evolution of law have been instrumental in the promotion and the regulation of social behavior. The building of proper social behavior can be through the existence of good law while lousy law, on the other hand, can result in the building of less desirable social order (Allen & Barzel, 2009).

Before the Industrial Revolution, offenses were considered as general matters and an individual committing an offense or violating property rights of another would be privately arrested and privately prosecuted by a judge owning the court offices (Allen & Barzel, 2009). The system continued to evolve with many torts being classified as crimes against the King and would be punishable by either a fine, beating, possible incarceration or death. By the eighteenth century, the evolution accelerated, particularly on property crimes. The Code of Hammurabi was established in the eighteenth century and forms one of the earliest legal codes in the Western culture……..

APA 606 words