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Criminal cases are legal proceedings initiated by the government—whether federal, state, or local—against a person or organization accused of committing a crime. In the United States federal system, criminal cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office on behalf of the government, with only government authorities having the power to bring criminal charges. This distinguishes criminal cases from civil litigation, where private parties can sue one another for damages or other remedies.

The foundational principle of American criminal cases is that the government must prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a significantly higher burden of proof than the preponderance of evidence standard used in civil cases. Criminal cases can result in penalties including imprisonment, fines, probation, community service, or in capital cases, the death penalty. The defendant in a criminal case enjoys constitutional protections including the right to counsel, the right against self-incrimination, the right to a speedy and public trial, and the right to confront witnesses.

Federal criminal cases are governed primarily by Title 18 of the United States Code, which codifies federal criminal law and criminal procedure. Federal district courts have jurisdiction over all offenses against the laws of the United States as established in the federal criminal code. The process typically begins with investigation by law enforcement agencies, followed by charges filed through either an indictment by a grand jury or a criminal complaint and information filed by a prosecutor.

In true crime contexts, criminal cases encompass the entire arc of justice system involvement: from initial investigation and arrest, through charging decisions and pretrial proceedings, to trial, verdict, sentencing, and appeals. High-profile criminal cases often generate significant media attention and public interest, particularly when they involve serious offenses such as murder, serial crimes, or cases with unusual circumstances. The documentation and proceedings of criminal cases form the primary source material for true crime narratives, providing the factual foundation for books, documentaries, and podcasts exploring real criminal events.