The Federal Crime Center contains resources and information on criminal law or penal law. Criminal or penal law involves government prosecution of a person for any act that is classified by the law as a crime. Federal crime law is the facet of common law that deals specifically with criminal offenses and the legal punishments associated with them. There are four different theories that are associated with criminal justice; punishment, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation. Here you will find an explanation of the options that are available to you when it comes to federal crime law, pleading your case in court or appealing your case in the event of an unfavorable result.