criminal law

American  

noun

1. the laws of a state or country dealing with criminal offenses and their punishments.

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criminal law British  

noun

1. the body of law dealing with the constitution of offences and the punishment of offenders

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Etymology

Origin of criminal law

First recorded in 1580–90

Example Sentences

Kelsey also served as the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees changes to civil and criminal laws, judicial proceedings and more.

From Seattle Times

The party's platform includes amending a criminal law that makes insulting the king punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

From Reuters

Switzerland's attorney general said last month the country's federal prosecutor had opened an investigation into the takeover, looking into potential breaches of Swiss criminal law by government officials, regulators and executives at the two banks.

From Reuters

Its progressive campaign platform incorporates many of the protesters' demands including, most controversially, amending a criminal law that makes insulting the king punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

From Reuters

“This extreme case of police brutality warrants enforcement of the civil rights criminal laws on the books,” Shabazz said in a statement.

From Seattle Times