Final answer:
The three types of laws discussed are criminal law, civil law, and international law. Criminal law involves government enacting rules and punishments for prohibited conduct. Civil law resolves disputes between private parties, and international law regulates the conduct of states and international relations.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of the federal legal system, we can discuss three main types of laws: criminal law, civil law, and international law. Criminal law pertains to the regulations established by the government that designate certain conduct as prohibited due to its potential to harm others, and it prescribes punishments for such offenses. Criminal law cases are prosecuted by the government and involve charges of misdemeanors or felonies.
Civil law, on the other hand, deals with disputes between private parties. One party, the plaintiff, claims to have incurred harm due to the action or negligence of the defendant. Civil suits include a wide range of issues like contracts, property disputes, and family law matters. Lastly, international law governs the conduct of states and international organizations and their relationships with one another as well as with individuals and other non-state actors. Examples include the law of the sea, the Geneva Conventions, and human rights law.