criminal law

noun

1. the laws of a state or country dealing with criminal offenses and their punishments.

criminal law

noun

1. the body of law dealing with the constitution of offences and the punishment of offenders

Word History and Origins

Origin of criminal law¹

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

The Senedd in Cardiff Bay, which is also known as the Welsh Parliament, has power over how Wales' health care service is run, but not the criminal law.

From BBC

The AG’s day-to-day role is to advise the government on how to act lawfully - and he also has to sign off use of some of our most complex criminal laws, including terrorism act offences.

From BBC

Jackson ruling was handed down, an even stricter criminal law went into effect, threatening doctors with up to 99 years in prison and $100,000 in fines.

From Salon

The issue at the heart of it all is corroboration, a unique aspect of Scotland's criminal law which requires evidence from at least two sources to prove the essential facts of a case.

From BBC

The majority of cases documented in the report involved general criminal laws used to prosecute pregnant people.

From Salon