criminal liability
noun[U]
LAWukusresponsibilityfor anyillegalbehaviourthatcausesharmordamageto someone or something:
Heacknowledgeddamagingahousewithoutauthorization, but ajuryacquittedhim of anycriminalliability.
Families of somevictimsof thecrashhavelaunchedalawsuitagainst therailwayowner,claimingcriminalliability.