criminal penalties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "criminal penalties" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the punishments or consequences that someone may face for committing a crime. Example: "The defendant faced harsh criminal penalties, including a prison sentence and hefty fines, for their involvement in the embezzlement scheme."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Officials would seek civil or criminal penalties.

The New York Times - Health

2. Provide criminal penalties for hate crimes.

Independent

They ratcheted up criminal penalties.

The New York Times

Violators are subject to criminal penalties.

The New York Times

"It should not result in criminal penalties".

The New York Times

Civil or criminal penalties could potentially follow, she said.

The New York Times

Judge Sedia declared the ban and associated criminal penalties unconstitutional.

The New York Times

He supports new criminal penalties for predatory lending.

The New York Times

Lawyers who submit improper filings face criminal penalties, he said.

The New York Times - Food

It imposes civil and criminal penalties for violations.

The New York Times

Such a duty is common in Europe, where some countries have criminal penalties for violators.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal matters, ensure that the term "criminal penalties" is used accurately to refer specifically to punishments prescribed by law for criminal offenses. This avoids ambiguity and maintains precision in legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "criminal penalties" loosely to describe any negative consequence. Reserve it specifically for sanctions imposed by a court for criminal wrongdoing. For non-criminal contexts, use terms like "fines", "disciplinary actions", or "civil penalties".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal penalties" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject in a sentence. It refers to the legally defined punishments associated with criminal offenses. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is used to describe the sanctions imposed for breaking the law.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "criminal penalties" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term that refers to the punishments imposed for criminal offenses. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for use in written English. As this analysis has shown, "criminal penalties" is most commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific and business contexts. When using this phrase, writers should ensure they are accurately referring to legally prescribed punishments for criminal acts, avoiding its misuse in non-criminal contexts. Related phrases include "penal sanctions" and "punitive measures", each offering slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

criminal sanctions

A direct synonym, simply reordering the words.

penal sanctions

Replaces "penalties" with "sanctions", offering a slightly more formal tone.

punitive measures

Emphasizes the act of inflicting punishment.

statutory penalties

Emphasizes that the penalties are defined by statute.

legal consequences

Broadens the scope to include any outcome dictated by law.

court-imposed penalties

Focuses on the origin and authority of the penalties.

judicial punishments

Highlights the role of the judiciary in imposing punishments.

deterrent measures

Highlights the goal of preventing crime through penalties.

criminal charges

Focuses on the accusations that lead to potential penalties.

sentences for crimes

Expresses the concept by describing what penalties do rather than naming them directly.

FAQs

What's the difference between "criminal penalties" and civil penalties?

"Criminal penalties" are punishments imposed by the government for criminal offenses, often involving imprisonment or fines. Civil penalties are monetary fines or other sanctions imposed for violations of civil laws or regulations. A criminal penalty may lead to a criminal record, while a civil penalty typically does not.

What are some examples of "criminal penalties"?

Examples of "criminal penalties" include imprisonment, fines, probation, community service, restitution, and in some cases, the death penalty. The specific penalties vary depending on the severity of the crime and the laws of the jurisdiction.

Can "criminal penalties" be reduced or eliminated?

Yes, "criminal penalties" can sometimes be reduced or eliminated through plea bargains, appeals, or pardons. Additionally, some jurisdictions offer programs like diversion or deferred adjudication that can result in charges being dismissed upon successful completion of the program.

What is the difference between "legal consequences" and "criminal penalties"?

"Criminal penalties" are a specific type of "legal consequences" that arise from criminal activity. "Legal consequences" is a broader term that includes any legal ramifications, such as civil lawsuits, administrative actions, or other non-criminal repercussions.