The criminal justice system and criminal law serve as a deterrent to potential offenders, protect society from harm and ensure that individuals who commit crimes are held accountable for their actions. The legal system also upholds the principles of justice and fairness by providing a framework for punishing wrongdoers and protecting victims' rights. This legal studies course covers the legal principles and rules in the UK that define and govern criminal offences and their punishment. We first go through the fundamentals of criminal law, the types of crimes and their main elements. We examine the role and structure of the UK’s police force and explain how it approaches crime and policing. We then lay out the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) norms of conduct and codes of practice.

In England and Wales, the police have the authority to issue a formal caution as an alternative to prosecution in minor instances. We explain when cautioning is used, its goals and types and how it deals with young offenders. The course then explores the general principles of prosecution and describes the treatment of mentally disordered offenders under the law. The course identifies the rights of individuals laid out in the Criminal Justice Act, including the right to legal assistance and the right to a fair trial. Sentencing is meant to punish the criminal for the offence they committed and protect people from the same crime in the future. We compare various types of sentencing, forms of homicide and the elements used to determine the relevant offence.

We designed this course for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the legal field, including law students, aspiring lawyers, legal assistants and criminal justice professionals. This legal studies course is also helpful for anyone who works in areas that interact with the criminal justice system, such as law enforcement officers, social workers and psychologists. The course has no prerequisites and can help you to develop critical thinking, analytical skills and a deeper understanding of the legal system and its role in society. Career opportunities in this field include criminal defence solicitors, prosecuting solicitors, law enforcement officers, legal researchers and private investigators. Sign up to learn how the UK’s criminal justice system protects people and social norms from crime.