in a criminal context

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a criminal context" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations, actions, or behaviors that relate to criminal activities or legal matters. Example: "The defendant's actions were evaluated in a criminal context to determine the severity of the charges against him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

For instance, Morselli writes, "Criminal networks are not simply social networks operating in a criminal context.

Crime Science

It's rare in a criminal context".

The Guardian

We explore the possible (mis)use of these databases in a criminal context by conducting two experiments.

University of California, Berkeley

The show is vast in emotional scope and I still haven't finished watching it, but nor have I quite dealt with its basic proposition that integrity can be maintained in a criminal context.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Rhona Mahony said that Irish medical staff were being forced to make clinical decisions in a "criminal context", with doctors facing a 14-year prison sentence if they made the wrong decision to save a dying woman.

The Times

Subsequent research projects will involve determining how courts in the United States view and treat neuroscientific evidence in a criminal context and how the public perceives neuroscientific evidence presented to diminish responsibility.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Prohibition necessarily entails policing an underground market, and this in turn means that addicts will be pressured via criminal punishment; this reality punctures the myth of "treatment" offered in a criminal justice context, instead of via the healthcare setting where it belongs.

Huffington Post

Doing ICE work in a criminal justice context helps participating agencies' arguments that they're only focusing on undocumented immigrants who are committing crimes, says Dan Stageman, director of research operations at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and an expert in the political economy of immigration detention.

Vice

In the criminal context, reasonableness usually requires a showing of probable cause.

Cornell University

"There's no question, at least in the criminal context, that we'd solve a lot of crime if we allowed government to search everyone's house," noted Mark Rumold, a staff lawyer with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, which has opposed such intrusions.

The New York Times

Even if a governmental work product doctrine applies in the criminal context, the Court finds that it does not apply to Lindsey's interviews because they were not in anticipation of an adversarial proceeding.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a criminal context" to clearly specify that your discussion pertains to legal or illegal activities, ensuring your audience understands the scope of your analysis or argument.

Common error

Avoid using "in a criminal context" when the situation involves ethical or moral issues without legal implications. A more general phrase like "in this situation" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a criminal context" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun. It specifies the setting or framework within which an action, evaluation, or discussion is taking place. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

33%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a criminal context" is a prepositional phrase used to specify that a situation, action, or evaluation is related to criminal activities or legal matters. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. While not extremely common, it appears most frequently in news, academic, and scientific sources. When using the phrase, ensure it's appropriate for the setting, as overuse in non-legal settings can be confusing. Alternatives like "within the realm of criminal law" or "regarding criminal matters" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the realm of criminal law

Specifies the area of law involved.

regarding criminal matters

Focuses on the subject of the discussion.

pertaining to criminal cases

Highlights its relevance to cases.

in relation to criminal offenses

Emphasizes the connection to offenses.

within a criminal legal framework

Implies a structured system of laws.

concerning criminal proceedings

Highlights its role in formal legal procedures.

in the setting of criminal activity

Focuses on the environment where crime occurs.

related to crimes

Simplifies the relationship to illegal acts.

in the world of crime

Suggests immersion in crime.

when considering illegal conduct

Highlights focus on unlawful behavior.

FAQs

How to use "in a criminal context" in a sentence?

Use "in a criminal context" to specify that the subject of discussion relates to crimes, legal proceedings, or criminal behavior. For instance, "The evidence was analyzed "in a criminal context" to determine its admissibility in court."

What's a good substitute for "in a criminal context"?

Alternatives include "within the realm of criminal law", "regarding criminal matters", or "pertaining to criminal cases", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "in a criminal context" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "in a criminal context" is more suited for legal, academic, or journalistic writing. Everyday conversations might benefit from simpler alternatives unless the specific nature of criminal law is relevant.

What is the difference between "in a legal context" and "in a criminal context"?

"In a legal context" is broader, referring to anything related to law, whereas "in a criminal context" specifically refers to situations involving crimes and their legal ramifications. If you are referring to civil law, you may use "in a legal context".