What are the Features of Criminal Law?

There are a number of features that are common to criminal law systems around the world. These include the following:

criminal law is codified;
there is a clear distinction between criminal and civil law;
crimes are typically divided into categories (e.g., felonies and misdemeanors);
crimes are defined in terms of actus reus (the guilty act) and mens rea (the guilty mind);
causation is an important element in establishing liability;
defenses to criminal charges may be available; and
punishment for convicted offenders may take a variety of forms, including incarceration, fines, and community service.