Describe the relationship between the general and special parts of criminal law. General principles of criminal law apply to many or all crimes. General principles include the standard of voluntary action, criminal intent, complicity (crimes that make one person responsible for another’s behavior), attempt, conspiracy, and solicitation. Specific crimes include crimes against persons, property, and public order (or morals), and crimes against the state. The prosecution of crime involves application of one or more general and/or specific principles.

Identify and describe the main sources of criminal law. Criminal law is established by elected representatives (state legislatures, city and town councils, U.S. Congress), administrative agencies (IRS tax regulations, vehicle safety standards of the state highway patrol), and judges (common law).