The original source of our criminal laws was:

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English common law heavily influenced the development of criminal law in the United States. Many of our current criminal laws can be traced back to English law, including principles such as the presumption of innocence, the right to a jury trial, and the definition of specific crimes such as murder and theft. While other legal systems, such as Roman law and Church law, also contributed to the development of criminal law, English common law had the greatest impact. Statutory law, which is created by legislative bodies, is a more recent source of criminal law and is often based on common law principles. English common law is the original source of our criminal laws in the United States. When the British colonies were established, they adopted the legal system of England, which included common law. Common law is based on previous court decisions and customs, rather than written statutes or codes. Over time, common law was adapted and modified by individual states and the federal government to fit their specific needs, but it still remains the foundation of our criminal justice system.

The Original Source of Our Criminal Laws Was