penal

In reference to law, “penal” is used primarily as a descriptive term relating to punishments or crimes . For example:

• A penal code is a set of statutes that concern criminal offenses (e.g., California Penal Code , Texas Penal Code ).
• A penal institution is a place where people who have been convicted of committing criminal offenses are confined.
• A penal action is an action brought for the purpose of imposing a penalty upon a defendant for committing a general wrong to the public.
• Penal liability refers to liability that arises from criminal conduct.
• Penal sanctions refer to punishments imposed on a defendant after a finding of guilt for a criminal act, for example, a fine.

[Last reviewed in July of 2020 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

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