criminal law

noun

: the law of crimes and their punishments

Examples of criminal law in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Her plans include attending a four-year university and law school with an ultimate goal of becoming a criminal law judge. Sharon Hlapcich, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026 The courts of the era also reshaped criminal law, ordered busing to desegregate schools, redefined the relationship between church and state, and even waded into tax-and-spending issues. Gregg Nunziata, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026 The case was filed on her behalf by Paul Batista, a prominent lawyer, television commentator and novelist whose expertise is criminal law. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 15 Apr. 2026 But experts in criminal law say turning that timeline into a criminal conspiracy case presents steep challenges. Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for criminal law

Word History

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of criminal law was in 1672

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Cite this Entry

“Criminal law.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal%20law. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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.

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