Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Criminal law) An act punishable by law; a violation of a criminal statute. This term refers to a specific deed or omission that constitutes a breach of a law for which the state can prosecute and impose a penalty, such as imprisonment or a fine. It is formally defined and categorized within a legal system.
   • A wrongful act considered offensive to society. Beyond the legal definition, it often carries a connotation of being an evil or morally reprehensible act that harms the public order.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Driving under the influence is a serious criminal offense.
  • The prosecutor filed charges for the criminal offense of fraud.
  • He was convicted of a criminal offense and served two years in prison.

Advanced Usage

• "To be charged with a criminal offense": This is the formal legal process where a person is officially accused of committing a crime.
  • After the investigation, she was charged with a criminal offense.
• "To commit a criminal offense": This phrase describes the act of carrying out the illegal activity.
  • The evidence proved he did commit a criminal offense.

Variants and Related Words

• Criminal offence (noun): This is a common spelling variant, particularly in British English. It is identical in meaning to "criminal offense."
• Crime (noun): A more general synonym for an illegal act. All criminal offenses are crimes.
• Felony (noun): In some legal systems (e.g., the U.S.), a category of serious criminal offenses, typically punishable by more than one year in prison.
• Misdemeanor (noun): In some legal systems (e.g., the U.S.), a category of less serious criminal offenses, typically punishable by fines or less than one year in jail.

Synonyms

• Crime: An action or omission that constitutes an offense and is punishable by law.
• Illegal act: An act that is forbidden by law.
• Lawbreaking: The act of violating a law.
• Transgression: An act that goes against a law, rule, or code of conduct.

Related Phrases

• Indictable offense: A serious criminal offense that requires a formal indictment or charge from a grand jury.
• Summary offense: A minor criminal offense often dealt with by a judge without a jury trial.
• Capital offense: A criminal offense for which the death penalty may be imposed.

Notes

• The term "criminal offense" is a formal legal term. In everyday conversation, people more commonly use the word "crime."
• The severity and classification of a criminal offense (e.g., felony vs. misdemeanor) vary significantly between different countries and legal jurisdictions.

Noun

1. (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
   • a long record of crimes