Criminal law is a branch of law that defines criminal offenses, establishes punishments, and regulates the investigation and prosecution of alleged offenders. It is concerned with actions that are harmful to society as a whole and punishable by imprisonment, fines, or other sanctions. Criminal law covers a wide range of offenses, including but not limited to homicide, assault, theft, fraud, drug offenses, and driving under the influence. While criminal law sets out general principles, its interpretation and application to specific cases are left largely to the discretion of the courts.