Magda  +  298874 Wed, 29 Nov 06 03:37 PM Hi, Could you tell me what is the difference between "penal law" and "criminal law"? Unfortunately, I can't find it in my dectionary. Thank you. Magda Joined on Sat, Sep 9 2006 Full Member 445 Difference Between

	Magda  +  298879 Wed, 29 Nov 06 03:53 PM It is very likely, but then in my book "International Legal English" in the same chapter I have these two terms, that's why I thought they are a bit different . Magda Legal English

	Tidus  +  298887 Wed, 29 Nov 06 04:02 PM I find that study, or reference books, often use differenent terms meaning the same thing.  I imagine that if there is a distinction, then criminal law will relate to what constitutes a crime, and penal law relates to the punishment for a crime. I'm really not sure.  Perhaps I should leave it to our American friends to explain. Tidus

	Marius Hancu  +  298890 Wed, 29 Nov 06 04:03 PM The're synonyms, except for one case: ------- penal law    Function:noun 1 a : a law imposing a penalty (as of fine, imprisonment, loss of civil rights) on persons who do or forbear a certain act or acts b : the body of such laws : CRIMINAL LAW 2 : PENAL STATUTE http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com ---------- penal statute    Function:noun 1 : PENAL LAW 1 a 2 : a statute that provides for the use of the state or a private person wronged a forfeiture of penalty and not compensatory damages against the wrongdoer committing an offense against the state by violating the provisions of the statute and that is distinguished from a statute awarding a civil remedy for compensatory damages against a wrongdoer in favor of the person wronged http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com ----------- Marius Hancu Joined on Wed, Apr 26 2006 Veteran Member 11,673 Nouns, Synonyms