That is probably because it is the type of law with the most media exposure. Furthermore, television shows such as The Practice depict lawyers constantly defending murderers and rapists. Most of the dramatic courtroom scenes in movies involve a tense exchange between a lawyer and a criminal defendant who has taken the witness stand. In reality, criminal law is not as dramatic as the movies or television would purport. In fact, the majority of criminal cases are dismissed or settled in some way before there is even a trial.
Criminal law deals primarily with crimes committed against the state, i.e. with social crimes.
Examples include murder, theft, larceny, arson, embezzlement, and rape. Criminal statutes determine which courts will hear what cases and who will prosecute those cases. States have different procedures by which they prosecute individuals accused of committing crimes. However, in most states, a prosecutor's office will begin investigating a case after the individual has been arrested. At this point, the state and the accused will engaged in what is called plea bargaining.