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Criminal Jurisdiction

Criminal jurisdiction refers to the authority of a legal body, like a court or government, to hear and decide cases involving criminal behavior. It determines which court has the right to try a person for a crime based on factors such as location, the nature of the offense, or the parties involved. For example, a court in one state generally handles crimes committed there, while federal courts handle cases crossing state lines or involving federal laws. Jurisdiction ensures that criminal cases are tried by the appropriate legal authority, maintaining order and fairness in the justice system.