What is considered the primary focus of criminal law?

The primary focus of criminal law is maintaining public order and punishing wrongdoers. Criminal law is designed to protect society as a whole by prohibiting behaviors deemed harmful or dangerous and establishing consequences for those who choose to engage in such behaviors. By enforcing laws against crimes, this area of law aims to deter criminal activity, ensure public safety, and rehabilitate offenders. The overarching goal is to uphold social norms and provide a structured system for accountability when those norms are violated.

Other options reflect different legal concerns. Regulating public nuisances pertains more to administrative law or local ordinances, while protecting individual rights in civil matters and settling disputes between private parties relate to civil law rather than criminal law. Therefore, these options do not align with the primary objectives of criminal law, which focuses directly on societal harm and the legal repercussions that follow.