Simple English definitions for legal terms
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A criminal is someone who has done something against the law and has been found guilty of it. It can also refer to things or groups that are involved in illegal activities. For example, a criminal gang or a criminal conspiracy. Criminal law is the set of rules that deal with crimes, and a criminal case is when the government tries to punish someone for breaking those rules. Criminal procedure is the process that a court follows when dealing with a criminal case.
Definition: Criminal is a term used to describe a person who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime. It can also refer to acts or people involved in or related to a crime.
For example, a "criminal conspiracy" is a plan to commit a crime, a "criminal taking" is the act of stealing, and a "criminal gang" is a group of people who commit crimes together.
In a legal sense, "criminal law" is a system of law that deals with cases involving a crime. A "criminal case" is when the government tries to punish a person for breaking the law, and "criminal procedure" refers to the rules a court follows during a criminal case.
Overall, the term criminal is used to describe illegal activity and those involved in it.
Examples:
These examples illustrate how the term criminal is used to describe individuals who have committed a crime or are involved in illegal activity.