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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

criminal code

Los Angeles County and state fire investigators cited eight violations, including three of California’s criminal code, in their report released on Aug. 4.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 20, 2026

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

First, Congress must address a long‑recognized problem with the federal criminal code: It is sprawling and vague, with statutes that often lack clear requirements regarding criminal intent.

From Slate ● May 1, 2026

The Finnish government's proposal requires changes to both the country's Nuclear Energy Act and the criminal code.

From BBC ● Mar. 5, 2026

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

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