criminal law

noun

: the law of crimes and their punishments

Examples of criminal law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Gardner works as a family law, divorce law and criminal law attorney, with 42 years of experience. Staff, Detroit Free Press, 21 Sep. 2024 Two pillars of American criminal law come foremost to mind. Dennis C. McAndrews, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 In addition to criminal law implications, a point-shaving scheme can trigger civil law claims. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 22 Nov. 2024 Presidents have become less, not more, subject to criminal law, and have become more, not less, likely to view criminal law as an option for use against political opponents. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for criminal law 

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 5 Jan. 2025.

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

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