Get the FREE one-click dictionary software for Windows
or the iPhone/iPad and Android apps
Noun: criminal offense
Usage: US (elsewhere: criminal offence)
  1. (criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act
    "Shoplifting is a criminal offense that can result in fines or imprisonment";
    - crime, criminal offence [Brit, Cdn], law-breaking

Derived forms: criminal offenses

Type of: offence [Brit, Cdn], offense [US]

Encyclopedia: Criminal offense