California · Penal Code
PEN §683: The proceeding by which a party charged with a public offense is accused and brought to trial and punishment, is known as a criminal action.
Civil
What this law says, in plain English
A criminal action is the legal proceeding in which a person charged with a public offense is accused, tried, and punished.
Read the full statutory text
The proceeding by which a party charged with a public offense is accused and brought to trial and punishment, is known as a criminal action.
Verify at the official source: California legislative text
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