What are rules of conduct that forbid specific acts punishable by imprisonment called?

The correct concept referring to rules of conduct that forbid specific acts and are punishable by imprisonment is known as statutes. Statutes are laws enacted by legislative bodies, such as state legislatures or Congress, that outline prohibited behaviors and prescribe penalties for those behaviors, including imprisonment. They serve to define criminal offenses, set standards for conduct, and help establish the legal framework within which society operates.

Understanding the role of statutes is crucial, as they form the basis of criminal law. Each statute specifies prohibited actions, the corresponding punishments, and procedural mechanisms for enforcement. This makes statutes foundational to maintaining public order and protecting individual rights within the legal system.

Other terms, such as ordinances, civil codes, and regulations, have different meanings and are used in varying legal contexts. Ordinances typically refer to laws enacted by local governments, civil codes pertain to non-criminal laws that govern civil rights and obligations, and regulations are rules created by governmental agencies to enforce statutes. While all of these terms relate to legal frameworks, none specifically designate the formal laws that define criminal conduct and impose imprisonment as statutes do.