Criminal cases are typically tried under which type of law?

Criminal cases are generally tried under state and federal law because these laws define offenses against the state or its citizens and the corresponding penalties. Each state has its own criminal code that outlines specific crimes and punishments, while federal law applies to offenses that fall under federal jurisdiction, such as kidnapping across state lines, drug trafficking, and robbery of federal institutions.

State laws govern the majority of criminal cases, including theft, assault, and murder, with procedures outlined for the trial process. Federal law comes into play when a crime violates federal statutes or crosses state boundaries. This dual system allows for a comprehensive approach to addressing criminal behavior, ensuring that both local and national interests are protected.

International law pertains to agreements and treaties between nations; civil law deals with disputes between individuals or organizations rather than crimes against the state; and administrative law governs the activities of governmental agencies. Thus, these areas do not apply to the trial of criminal cases, which is why state and federal law is the correct answer.