criminal law

noun

: the law of crimes and their punishments

Examples of criminal law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web With the prospect of Trump winning the election this November, their concerns about criminal law being used to target a former chief executive are not at all unrealistic. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2024 From then until now, the idea of a president violating criminal law has not been dealt with at the U.S. Supreme Court. Claire B. Wofford, The Conversation, 25 Apr. 2024 Fico, who took power for the fourth time last October, has turned the country’s foreign policy to more pro-Russian views and initiated reforms of criminal law and the media, which have raised concerns over weakening the rule of law. Reuters, NBC News, 7 Apr. 2024 Fico, who began his fourth term last October, has shifted Slovakia’s foreign policy towards pro-Russian positions and initiated reforms in criminal law and media regulations, raising concerns about the erosion of the rule of law. Reuters, CNN, 7 Apr. 2024 That's what Mitchell Epner, a New York lawyer with decades of criminal law experience, expects would happen even if Trump were convicted on all counts. Aysha Bagchi, USA TODAY, 11 Apr. 2024 The Arizona State Bar Board of Legal Specialization only recognizes attorneys who have completed Board Certification as criminal law specialists. David Stubblefield, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 House Bill 5 would make a long list of changes to Kentucky’s criminal law. Rebecca Grapevine, The Courier-Journal, 15 Mar. 2024 The new definition has no legal standing and does not affect current criminal law. Luke McGee, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024

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 30 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!