criminal law

noun

: the law of crimes and their punishments

Examples of criminal law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Related:Whiteland student was underwater 52 minutes before discovered; family calls for changes The Johnson County Prosecutor’s office determined in July, after an investigation, that school employees violated no criminal laws. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 16 Feb. 2024 The appeals court panel, made up of one Republican appointee and two Democratic ones, said Mr. Trump became an ordinary citizen in the eyes of criminal law after leaving office. Adam Liptak, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Pass written and oral examinations testing the attorney’s DUI defense knowledge. Have been practicing as a lawyer for at least seven years, including five years of criminal law defense. David Stubblefield, The Arizona Republic, 4 Mar. 2024 The facts are what set the Crumbley case apart to Jessica Roth, a professor at Cardozo Law School at Yeshiva University who specializes in evidence and criminal law. Kim Bellware, Washington Post, 5 Feb. 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 26 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
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