The body of law created by Congress or state legislature that has been created to deal with conduct that is considered to rise to a level of harm to society that it needs to be prohibited by statute and punishable by the state or federal government. Conviction results in a fine and/or imprisonment. By criminal law is understood that system of laws which provides for the mode of … [Read more...]

The science and stucy of crime and criminal behavior. … [Read more...]

An action brought by the defendant against the another party in the same action that relates to the original claim or counterclaim in the lawsuit. … [Read more...]

An instrument in Scotland, which contains the charges against a person accused of a crime. Criminal letters differ from an indictment, in that the former are not, like an indictment, the mere statement of the prosecutor, but sanctioned by a judge. … [Read more...]

One who decoys and plunders sailors under cover of harboring them. Wharton. … [Read more...]