criminal law
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of criminal law
First recorded in 1580–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In criminal law, "the burden of proof is higher," noted Brandon Garrett, a law professor at Duke University -- with prosecutors required to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
From Barron's • May 11, 2026
In 2024, the Utah Supreme Court blocked enforcement of the criminal law.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
The American Civil Liberties Union defended Hemani and said the government’s view threatens to broadly extend the reach of the criminal law.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 2, 2026
The judges said that while "a very small number" of Palestine Action's activities met the legal test for acts of terrorism, the standard criminal law could be used to confront the group.
From BBC • Feb. 13, 2026
Atticus Finch rarely took a criminal case; he had no taste for criminal law.
From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
