'Penal statutes' definitions:
Definition of 'Penal statutes'
From: GCIDE
- Penal \Pe"nal\, a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F. p['e]nal. See Pain.] Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as: (a) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue; the penal code. (b) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penal act or offense. (c) Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment; as, a penal colony or settlement. "Adamantine chains and penal fire." --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- Penal code (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and offenses and their punishment.
- Penal laws, Penal statutes (Law), laws prohibiting certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.
- Penal servitude, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison, in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.]
- Penal suit, Penal action (Law), a suit for penalties. [1913 Webster]