An action, suit, or cause instituted to punish an infraction of the criminal laws. State v. Smalls. 11 S. C. 279; Adams v. Ashv. 2 Bibb. (Ky.) 97; U. S. v. Three Tons of Coal, 28 Fed. Cas. 149; People v. Iron Co.. 201 III. 230. 60 N. E. 349.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
