(noun) – One who has committed a criminal offense; one who has been legally convicted of a crime; one adjudged guilty of crime.
(adjective) – That which pertains to or is connected with the law of crimes, or the administration of penal justice, or which relates to or has the character of crime. Charleston v. Beller, 45 W. Va. 44, 30 S. E. 152: State v. Burton, 113 N. C. 655, 18 S. E. 057. Criminal act. A term which is equivalent to crime; or is sometimes used with a slight softening or glossing of the meaning, or as importing a possible question of the legal guilt of the deed. Criminal action. The proceeding by which a party charged with a public offense is accused and brought to trial and punishment is known as a “criminal action.” Pen.Code Cal.