Criminal Prosecution

/ˈkrɪmɪnəl prəˈsɪkjuːʃən/

Definitions

  1. (n.) The legal process by which a government initiates and carries out legal proceedings against a person accused of a crime.
    The criminal prosecution resulted in a conviction of the defendant.

Forms

  • criminal prosecutions

Commentary

Often used to distinguish from civil prosecution; refers specifically to state-initiated proceedings for offenses against criminal statutes.

This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.

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