Criminal Action Law and Legal Definition
Criminal action is an action instituted by the government to punish offenses against the public. A state can institute an action against an individual or group of individuals for violating state criminal laws. Criminal action is a procedure by which a person accused of committing a crime is charged, brought to trial and judged. Main part of a criminal action is the trial where innocence or guilt of accused is determined. If the accused is found guilty, fine (which goes to state), imprisonment or even death sentence will be imposed. It depends upon the punishment provided in the statute under which the accused is prosecuted.
