What are the two main types of law?

The correct answer identifies the two primary categories of law that govern legal frameworks in many jurisdictions: criminal law and civil law.

Criminal law refers to a system of laws concerned with punishment for offenses against the state or public. It involves cases where the government prosecutes individuals or entities for violations such as theft, assault, or murder. The outcome of a criminal case typically involves penalties that include fines, community service, imprisonment, or even capital punishment. The emphasis is on maintaining public order and deterring criminal behavior, thereby protecting society as a whole.

Civil law, on the other hand, governs disputes between individuals or organizations where one party claims harm or loss caused by another. This branch of law covers issues such as contracts, property disputes, torts, and family law matters. The objective in civil law cases is to provide compensation or resolution rather than punishment. Typically, the outcomes include monetary damages or injunctions rather than incarceration.

While the other options might include valid areas of legal study, they do not capture the fundamental dichotomy of laws as clearly as criminal and civil do. For instance, regulatory law is often considered a subset of administrative law, which itself does not encompass the full landscape of legal types. Judicial and legislative not only refer to processes within