Criminal law wikipedia

Unlike thoughts, words can be considered acts in criminal law.
For example, threats, perjury, conspiracy, and solicitation are offenses in which words can constitute the element of actus reus .
The omission of an act can also constitute the basis for criminal liability.

In the United States criminal procedure has become a constitutional matter, with a kind of federal common law of criminal procedure overriding state law in many instances.
Thus, due process of law under the Fourteenth Amendment to the federal Constitution and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure confer protection on accused persons.