Which of the following best defines criminal law?

The definition of criminal law focuses on offenses that are considered harmful to society as a whole. It encompasses laws that prohibit actions which are seen as detrimental to public order, safety, and morals. Criminal law involves the prosecution of individuals by the government for acts classified as crimes, which can include a wide range of behaviors such as theft, assault, or murder. The pivotal aspect of criminal law is that it aims to maintain social order and protect citizens, making the consequences more severe than in other areas of law, such as civil disputes.

In contrast, the other choices represent different areas of law that do not share this focus. Individual disputes pertain to civil law, which addresses private rights and remedies between individuals. Business transaction laws encompass commercial law, focused on the regulations and legislation that govern commercial dealings. Lastly, tax law deals with the regulations related to the government's authority to impose taxes and is not concerned with criminal offenses. The emphasis on societal impact is what distinctly qualifies option C as the best definition of criminal law.