IntroductionAccording to Morrison (2008) crime is a salient fact that is an integral part of many adverse risks to which human beings are exposed today. On the other hand, a crime that constitutes a misdemeanor may be classified as a felony or a misdemeanor; this is because it is against a public law. A felony can be defined as a serious crime punishable by at least one year in prison, while a misdemeanor is a crime whose punishment is a fine or up to one year in prison (Smith, 2008). Crimes are therefore defined and punished by statutes and common law. There is also a relationship between crime and law which is called criminal law (Law Library, 2011). Criminal law is also referred to as penal law and includes rules and statutes written by Congress and state legislatures that deal with criminal activities (misdemeanors, felonies, or misdemeanors) that cause direct or indirect harm to a person. general public and is accompanied by sanctions for these crimes (Morrison, 2008). Criminal law is enforced by the government. Criminal law has subsections that include: substantive criminal law (deals with the substance of the law, i.e. the identification of crimes and their classification) and criminal procedure (deals with the application of laws). Criminal Justice SystemThe criminal justice system also includes processes such as agencies established by governments with the goal of controlling crime and imposing sanctions on those who violate laws (Schmallager, 2009). In the United States there is no individual system but there are many similar systems. Operations within these systems are highly dependent on the relevant jurisdiction; i.e. city, state,...... middle of paper...... York. Retrieved from http://wings.buffalo.edu/law/bclc/bclrarticles/5%281%29/Harcourt.pdf.pdfLaw Library. (2011). Criminal justice system: structural and theoretical components of criminal justice systems, the systems in operation, the importance of considering criminal justice as a system. Encyclopedia of American Law and Legal Information. Retrieved from http://law.jrank.org/pages/858/Criminal-Justice-System.htmlMorrison, W. (2008). What is crime? Contrasting definitions and perspectives. Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://www.oup.com/uk/orc/bin/9780199227297/hale2e_ch01.pdfSchmallager, F. (2009). Criminal Justice Today, (10th Edition) Upper Saddle River, NJ. Pearson/Prentice Hall.Smith, A. J. (2003). Criminal justice today. West Valley Community College – California. Retrieved from http://instruct.westvalley.edu/smith/aj1handouts/gaines_chapter1.pdf