Laws enumerate both punidhment and ways to do things. The latter can prevent crimes. E.g. there is a law saying you cant serve alcohol to minors. That in and o

Laws enumerate both punidhment and ways to do things. The latter can prevent crimes. E.g. there is a law saying you cant serve alcohol to minors. That in and of itself doesnt prevent beyond threat of punishment if caught. There is also a law saying you have to check ids. Procedures like that do have a preventitive effect.