criminal code

American  

noun

Law.

1. the aggregate of statutory enactments pertaining to criminal offenses.

2. a systematic and integrated statement of the rules and principles pertaining to criminal offenses.

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Etymology

Origin of criminal code

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

criminal code

A year later, Congress passed a law that added a firearms trafficking conspiracy charge to the federal criminal code, a crucial new tool for prosecutors.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 2026

The reforms are expected to address the economy, taxes, the criminal code, the electoral system, education, justice and defense, Milei said in his address, which was marked by verbal clashes with opposition lawmakers.

From Barron's ● Mar. 2, 2026

Since then, police have arrested Abhay Kumar, one of the owners of the construction site, for alleged culpable homicide due to negligence under India's criminal code.

From BBC ● Jan. 22, 2026

Thailand's lese-majeste law has been in place since the creation of the country's first criminal code in 1908, although the penalty was toughened in 1976.

From BBC ● Apr. 4, 2025

In the wake of these incidents, Congress passed a series of New Deal reforms that gave the federal government its first comprehensive criminal code and the bureau a sweeping mission.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann