How is "criminal law" best characterized?

Criminal law is often referred to as penal law, which encapsulates its primary purpose of defining offenses that are against society and establishing punishment for those offenses. This legal framework is established to maintain public order and safety by delineating unacceptable behaviors and their corresponding penalties.

The term "penal" directly relates to the imposition of penalties or punishments for law violations, reflecting the system's overarching goal of deterring crime and rehabilitating offenders. By categorizing certain actions as crimes, the law enforces societal standards and norms, thus protecting individuals and communities.

In contrast, the other classifications mentioned do not encompass the essence of criminal law. Breach of legal duty typically pertains more to civil law, where individuals are held liable for failing to meet obligations, but it does not carry the same implications of societal harm or punishment. A civil wrong or injury refers to tort law, which addresses disputes between individuals rather than offenses against the state. Lastly, a failure to perform a service would likely fall under contractual law, further separating it from the scope of criminal law.