Which type of law involves conflicts between individuals and the government?

Criminal law encompasses offenses against the state or public, addressing actions that are considered harmful or threatening to society as a whole. This branch of law involves the government prosecuting individuals or entities for violations of statutes that define such offenses. The primary goal of criminal law is to maintain public order and protect the community by imposing penalties, which can include imprisonment, fines, or other forms of punishment.

In contrast, civil law primarily deals with disputes between individual parties or organizations over rights, obligations, and liabilities. Federal law refers to the body of law created by the federal government, including statutes and regulations, but does not specifically define the relationship dynamics between individuals and the government regarding criminal behavior. Tort law focuses on civil wrongs and compensation for damages rather than prosecuting crimes. Thus, criminal law is the correct answer when identifying the type of law that involves conflicts between individuals and the government, as it deals directly with the prosecution of unlawful acts committed against society.