Crime

Crime defined from a legal perspective is anything that violates legal code. It may or may not be based on what is moral or ethical.

Legal Code

Legal code is the law. It is created by a legislature (state or federal) and is the standard by which prosecutors charge crimes and judges order punishments.

Case Law

Case law is established whenever a higher court (federal or state ) makes a "for-publication" ruling. It interprets and clarifies legal code and its application.

Criminal Law Hierarchy

Appeals of criminal rulings in the county court are made first to the appeals court and then to the state Supreme Court. On the federal level, one appeals first to the circuit court of a specific geographical region and then to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Application of Rulings

The highest court decision takes legal precedence over that of a lower court. On the federal level, however, the decision of the district court of one geographical region is not binding on that of another. The decision of the U.S. Supreme Court, however, is binding in all regions and districts.

Source:

The Legal Research Manual: A Game Plan for Legal Research and Analysis; Wren and Wren; 1986

Prisoners' Self-Help Litigation Manual; Boston and Manville; 1996

Resource:

Criminal Law: Guide to Criminal and Penal Law

ABA Division for Public Education: Criminal Law