criminal law

noun

: the law of crimes and their punishments

Examples of criminal law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His appellate legal team has been aggressively searching for any and every legal avenue that would overturn the judge’s sentence, nullify the jury’s guilty verdict, or even discredit the very criminal law that Combs was prosecuted under. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

But the tricky bit is doing so without eviscerating Congress’ regulatory powers across a lot of different dimensions, including criminal law, that the justices may also think important. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026

Shaul Brazil, a partner at BCL Solicitors in London who is vice chair of the International Bar Association's criminal law committee, notes that every case is unique. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026

Nahhat's been an attorney for over 30 years, working as an adviser and trial and appellate lawyer in probate, criminal law, personal injury, real estate, and entertainment law. — Tristan McFolley, Freep.com, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for criminal law

• avoirdupois
• aa
• aha
• bashaw
• bradshaw
• byelaw
• bylaw
• chainsaw
• cheraw
• coleslaw
• crenshaw
• dada

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.