Legal Definitions - criminal

The term "criminal" can refer to a person or describe something related to a crime or the legal system that addresses crimes.

• As a noun, a "criminal" is an individual who has committed an act that violates the law and is punishable by the state. This person may have been formally charged, convicted, or is simply known to have engaged in illegal activity.

  Example 1: After a detailed investigation, the police identified the individual who had been repeatedly breaking into homes in the neighborhood as the primary criminal responsible for the burglaries.

  Explanation 1: Here, "criminal" refers to the person who committed the illegal acts of breaking and entering, which are considered crimes under the law.

• As an adjective, "criminal" describes anything connected to a crime, the commission of a crime, or the legal process designed to address crimes.

  Example 2: The district attorney's office announced a new initiative to combat organized criminal activity, focusing on groups involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

  Explanation 2: In this context, "criminal" modifies "activity," indicating that the actions of these groups are illegal and constitute crimes. It describes the nature of the activity itself.

• Example 3: During the trial, the judge explained to the jury that they must determine if the defendant's actions met the standard for criminal negligence, which requires a reckless disregard for the safety of others.

  Explanation 3: Here, "criminal" describes a specific type of negligence that is severe enough to be considered a crime, highlighting how the term can define a legal standard within the context of offenses.