A "crime" is any act or omission (of an act) in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it. Crimes include both felonies and misdemeanours. Criminal Law is a branch of law that defines crimes, establishes punishments, and regulates the investigation and prosecution of people accused of committing crimes. Criminal law includes both substantive law and criminal procedure, which regulates the implementation and enforcement of substantive criminal law. Substantive criminal law defines crime and punishment. Criminal procedure is concerned with the legal rules followed and the steps taken to investigate, apprehend, charge, prosecute, convict, and sentence to punishment individuals who violate substantive criminal law. Criminal law often strives to avoid harm by forbidding conduct that may lead to harmful results which perhaps applies to you, if you are offended by someone’s behaviour which is forbidden by law. Each type of law provides different responses. A person who is injured by the action(s) of another may bring a civil lawsuit against the person who caused the harm. Civil law generally provides that the person who caused the injury must pay money (pecuniary) damages to compensate for the harm suffered. This same person who acts in a way that is considered harmful to society, in general, may be prosecuted by the state, the victim, or its representatives in a criminal case. If the individual is convicted (found guilty) of the crime, they will be punished under criminal law by either a fine or imprisonment or both. Have you been injured or suffered damages caused by another person or entity and you wish to proceed with prosecution? If you have any questions about the information provided above, please call or contact us by sending an e-mail. Have you been accused of a crime? Get help by talking to an experienced criminal defence attorney who will counsel you and guide you through the criminal defence process and who is ready to begin assessing your legal needs during a confidential consultation. No matter what you or a person of kin may be accused of, it is extremely important to obtain a lawyer early on to ensure that you receive the proper guidance to build a sound and fair defence, from the very beginning of the criminal procedure.