What type of law governs acts such as kidnapping or bank robbery?

The correct choice is criminal law because it encompasses offenses that are considered harmful to society as a whole, such as kidnapping and bank robbery. Criminal law is designed to address actions that are deemed crimes, which are violations of statutes enacted by government authorities. These laws define various offenses, the penalties for those offenses, and the procedures for prosecution and defense.

Criminal law serves to protect public order and safety, ensuring that offenders face consequences for their actions, which can include imprisonment, fines, or community service. Kidnapping and bank robbery are both serious offenses that typically involve significant threats to people and property, warranting intervention by law enforcement and prosecution under criminal statutes.

While federal and state laws both encompass criminal laws, the defining characteristic of criminal law encompasses all such actions, regardless of jurisdiction. Civil law, in contrast, generally deals with disputes between individuals or organizations, such as contracts and property issues, rather than actions deemed criminal acts against society.