§ 10 Criminal action defined.

A criminal action is simply the legal process that happens when someone is accused of breaking a criminal law. It covers everything from the moment charges are filed against a person all the way through trial and, if they are found guilty, their punishment.

This term basically describes the whole journey a criminal case takes through the court system. It starts when a person is formally accused of a crime, continues through the trial where evidence is presented and a decision is made, and ends with sentencing if the person is convicted. Think of it as the official name for the entire court process in a criminal case, from start to finish.