CRIMINAL LAW Criminal Law, defined. Criminal law is that branch or division of law which defines crimes, treats of their nature, and provides for their punishment. (12 Cyc. 129) Crime, defined. Crime is an act committed or omitted in violation of a public law forbidding or commanding it. (I Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Rawle's Third Revision, 729) Sources of Asf Klsdjfklsdaf