criminal law

noun

: the law of crimes and their punishments

Examples of criminal law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web My diverse practice has encompassed various areas of law, including family law, probate, personal injury, construction, criminal law, aviation law, and notably, animal law. Lauren Nichole Peffer, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024 His areas of practice include civil litigation, criminal law, domestic relations and family law. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 18 June 2024 Trump would have a legitimate argument, said Alex Reinert, a criminal law expert at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City. Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 12 June 2024 Whistle-blowing to the public, on the other hand, is a punishable violation of professional standards or even criminal law. Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2018 See all Example Sentences for criminal law 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'criminal law.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminal law was in 1672

Dictionary Entries Near criminal law

Cite this Entry

“Criminal law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal%20law. Accessed 1 Jul. 2024.

Legal Definition

criminal law

noun
: public law that deals with crimes and their prosecution compare civil law

Note: Substantive criminal law defines crimes, and procedural criminal law sets down criminal procedure. Substantive criminal law was originally common law for the most part. It was later codified and is now found in federal and state statutory law.

More from Merriam-Webster on criminal law

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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