Criminal Law

Criminal Law is the name given to the branch of law that governs an individual's relationship to the state. It includes the definitions of criminal offenses, which are usually established by Congress or state legislatures. The term "criminal law" also encompasses the rights of an accused and the criminal process, including arrest, pleas, discovery, pre-trial hearings, trials, evidence, motions, and post-trial remedies. The main purpose of the criminal law is to set forth the punishment for criminal offenses. In order to prove any crime, no matter how serious, the prosecutor must prove that the accused committed a guilty act with a guilty mind beyond a reasonable doubt.

Crimes are classified as misdemeanours--less serious offenses that are normally punishable by a fine like some traffic violations, petty theft, or possession of a small amount of marijuana, and felonies--more serious offenses that warrant imprisonment of one or more years, such as rape, theft, assault with intent, assault with a deadly weapon, or homicide/murder.

Du Toit’s Attorneys does not attend to felony related matters.

Our team have experience in all areas of criminal law (crimes committed) and can provide legal assistance in terms of: