criminal subject

USAGE SUMMARY

"criminal subject" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person who is being charged or convicted for a criminal offense, or when talking about a field of study related to criminal law. For example: "The criminal subject faced a severe sentence for his criminal activity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

By early 1948, the United Nations War Crimes Commission listed him as a suspected war criminal subject to trial.

The New York Times

If we have ever seen an appearance of impropriety in our decades of experience, this is it: a criminal subject president appointing his own prosecutor — one who has evidently prejudged aspects of the investigation and mused about how it can be hampered.

The New York Times

Mohammed is many things: an enemy combatant in a war against the United States whom the government can detain without trial until the conflict ends; a war criminal subject to trial by military commission under the laws of war; and someone answerable in federal court for violations of the U.S. criminal code.

The Washington Post

Davis's unusually long sentence results from a controversial practice known as "stacking," in which each count of an indictment is counted as a separate crime, thus transforming a first-time defendant into a "habitual criminal" subject to multiple sentences and mandatory sentencing guidelines.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Machen added that "some investigations are continued for many years because, while the evidence is not yet sufficient to bring charges, it is sufficient to have identified criminal subjects and/or criminal activity serious enough to justify continuation of the investigation".

The New Yorker

In a letter today to the F.B.I. director, Robert S. Mueller III, and several lawmakers, the agents said they were horrified when photographs of several minority agents were posted on their squad's "wall of shame," an office bulletin board where pictures of gang members and criminal subjects were posted.

The New York Times

Instead he promised to punish them and their white officers as criminals, subject to enslavement or execution.

The New York Times

As part of its claimed powers, the administration argued that captives from the Afghanistan conflict in 2001 were neither prisoners of war subject to the Geneva Conventions nor ordinary criminals subject to American courts.

The Economist

Budget pressures are also adding momentum to a push to put a proposal on the California ballot in November that would reduce the number of criminals subject to the state's three-strikes sentencing law.

The New York Times

To supplement article 23 by point "C" of the following contents: "The committee of inquiry uses as proof of guilt materials collected and prepared by the commissions of the United Nations and national commissions on investigation of crimes committed by war criminals subject to trial by the international tribunal". 1. 11.

Yale University

The government views the convicts as criminals subject to normal legal processes.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "criminal subject", ensure the context clearly indicates whether the person is suspected, accused, or convicted to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "criminal subject" in casual contexts; more common terms like "offender" or "lawbreaker" may be more appropriate. It fits better in legal or journalistic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "criminal subject" functions as a noun phrase. It typically identifies an individual who is either suspected of, accused of, or has been convicted of a crime. As Ludwig AI pointed out, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "criminal subject" is a noun phrase used to identify an individual involved in the criminal justice system, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While grammatically correct, its frequency is rare and it's better suited for formal contexts like legal documents, news reporting, and academic discussions. The phrase functions to denote a person of interest in criminal matters and has neutral to formal register. When writing, ensure clarity and avoid overuse in casual contexts, and consider using synonyms like "suspected offender" or "accused perpetrator" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspected offender

Focuses on the suspicion of criminal activity, rather than confirmed status.

accused perpetrator

Highlights the act of accusation in relation to the criminal act.

defendant in a criminal case

Specifies the legal context of being a defendant.

person charged with a crime

Emphasizes the formal charging of an individual.

individual facing criminal charges

Highlights the ongoing process of facing accusations.

convicted offender

Indicates a person who has been found guilty of a crime.

lawbreaker

A more general term for someone who violates the law.

offender of the law

Similar to lawbreaker but more formal.

culprit

Focuses on the guilt and responsibility for a crime.

perpetrator of the crime

Highlights the act of committing the crime.

FAQs

How can I use "criminal subject" in a sentence?

You can use "criminal subject" to refer to someone involved in a criminal investigation or trial. For example: "The police identified the main "criminal subject" during the investigation."

What are some alternatives to "criminal subject"?

Alternatives to "criminal subject" include "suspected offender", "accused perpetrator", or "defendant in a criminal case" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "criminal subject"?

The term "criminal subject" is most appropriate in legal, journalistic, or formal contexts when discussing someone involved in the criminal justice system.

Is "criminal subject" a formal term?

Yes, "criminal subject" is a more formal term. In less formal settings, words like "offender" or "lawbreaker" might be more suitable.