What is the primary aim of criminal law?

The primary aim of criminal law is to punish individuals who commit offenses against the state or society. The criminal justice system defines behaviors that are deemed unacceptable and establishes sanctions to deter such behaviors, thereby attempting to preserve public order. The punishment serves multiple purposes: it holds offenders accountable for their actions, acts as a deterrent to prevent future crimes, and provides retribution for the harm caused to victims and society as a whole.

While other objectives such as delivering justice and promoting safety can be seen as functions of the broader criminal justice system, they tend to support the overarching goal of punishment. For instance, delivering justice often refers to ensuring that the legal process operates fairly and equitably, which is important but ultimately revolves around the consequences for the offender. Similarly, promoting safety can result from enacting laws and imposing penalties, yet it is a secondary effect rather than the primary aim. Providing information, while sometimes necessary in legal contexts, does not fundamentally capture the essence of what criminal law seeks to achieve. Thus, focusing on punishment as the main aim accurately reflects the intent of criminal law in maintaining societal order and accountability.