Criminal law
Criminal Law
Criminal law (pronounced: /ˈkrɪmɪnəl lɔː/) is a system of law that is directed towards regulating the conduct of individuals in society. It proscribes conduct perceived as threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and moral welfare of people.
Etymology
The term "criminal law" comes from the Latin word 'crimen,' which means "charge" or "offense." The term 'law' is derived from the Old English 'lagu,' which means something laid down or fixed.
Related Terms
- Felony: A serious crime, such as murder or arson, punishable by more than one year of imprisonment or death.
- Misdemeanor: A lesser crime punishable by a fine or a brief imprisonment.
- Prosecution: The institution and conducting of legal proceedings against someone in respect of a criminal charge.
- Defendant: An individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law.
- Plaintiff: A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
- Indictment: A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.
- Conviction: A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.
- Acquittal: A judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which the person has been charged.
- Sentence (law): The punishment assigned to a defendant found guilty by a court, or fixed by law for a particular offense.
- Plea Bargain: An agreement in a criminal case between the prosecutor and defendant, whereby the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a particular charge in return for some concession from the prosecutor.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Criminal law
- Wikipedia's article - Criminal law
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