Definition of "criminal prosecution" [criminal prosecution]

• The institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior (noun)

WordNet. Princeton University. 2010.

• "Lord Queensberry's solicitor, Mr. Charles Russell, had stated that it was not his client's intention to take the initiative in any criminal prosecution of Mr. Oscar Wilde, but, on the very same morning when Wilde withdrew from the prosecution, Mr. Russell sent a letter to the Hon."
• "Within marriage or without, mouth-to-genital or anal sex became subject to criminal prosecution under numerous harsh antisodomy measures."