kuritegelik

Kuritegelik is an Estonian adjective meaning “criminal” or “relating to crime.” It describes acts, conduct, organizations, or individuals that violate the law. The related noun for the concept of crime is kuritegevus or kuritegu; kuritegelik focuses on the nature of the act rather than labeling the person, for which other terms like kurjategija are used.

In legal and public discourse, kuritegelik is employed to classify behavior as illegal. Common phrases include kuritegelik tegevus (criminal activity), kuritegelik ühendus (criminal organization), and kuritegevus (crime). The term is neutral and descriptive, conveying assessment without sentencing, while guilt is determined through legal processes.

Beyond law, kuritegelik is also used in criminology, sociology, and media to distinguish unlawful from lawful behavior and to analyze factors associated with criminal activity, such as social conditions, opportunity, and organization. It can be applied to a range of offenses, from property crimes to violent acts or corruption, and is frequently found in discussions about crime prevention and policy.

See also: kuritegevus, kuritegu, kurjategija, kriminaalõigus, organiseeritud kuritegevus.