A History of Law and Its Influence on Modern Criminal Law of Common and Civil Legal Systems

Abstract

Since the beginning of time law has evolved and developed, impacting all aspects of every legal system in the world today. Mosaic law, Ur-Nammu, Hammurabi, and Pharaonic laws have been instrumental in the formation of today’s legal systems. After a discussion of relevant history, a comparison will be made between the common law systems of the USA, and civil law system of Egypt to illustrate how early law has influenced the bedrock of justice and its application in modern criminal law of two of the world’s major legal systems.

Keywords: Criminal Law, History of Law, Civil Law System, Common Law System, Criminal Law Comparison.