Legal rule is coercive

The main aim of Legal Rule is to regulate the behavior of individuals in society, and this cannot be achieved without compulsion (force by means of punishment)

The Threat of punishment will serve as a deterrent, so that when an individual commits a crime they are fully aware that they will be subject to punishment by Law. This deterrent is a form of coercion, since it influences behavior through fear of punishment.

Types of penalty resulting from violating the legal rule

  1. Civil Penalty

    1. The penalty resulted by violating Private law rules

    2. e.g. Breaching a contract like not fulfilling your end of the contract, it can be terminated

  2. Administrative penalty

    1. The penalty resulted from violating provisions of administrative law and is characterized by its non-judicial nature (not involving a judge)

    2. e.g. Written warnings, Suspension, Demotion, Termination of Employment, Revocation of Professional Licenses

  3. Criminal Penalty

    1. The penalty resulted from violating a rule of criminal law, it is a legal penalty imposed by Judicial Authority on an individual when found guilty of committing a crime

    2. Punishment is a penalty that involves inflicting pain on the person or property of the offender for violating the legal rule.

    3. It can be corporal (inflicted on the criminal’s body) i.e. Death Penalty, Life Imprisonment

    4. It can be financial, such as a fine.

    5. It aims to punish the offender and deter others from committing similar offenses, whereas Civil Penalty compensates an individual for the harm he suffered from

criminal law = damage to society

civil law = damage to person