A criminal offense is the violation of a public law which prescribes a punishment for the violation thereof. All criminal laws are public laws.

Blackstone's definition: A crime or misdemeanor is an act committed, or omitted, in violation of a public law, either forbidding or commanding it. This general definition comprehends both crimes and misdemeanors, which, properly speaking, are mere synonymous terms; though in common usage, the word "crimes" is made to denote such offenses as are of a deeper and more atrocious dye; while smaller faults and omissions of less consequence are comprised under the gentler names of misdemeanors only.6

5 See also State vs. Camley, 67 Vt., 322; Com. vs. Shaver, 3 W. &

S. (Pa.), 338. 6 4 Blackstone Com., 5.

The word "crime" comprehends misdemeanors. Every misdemeanor is a crime, though not one of the gravest character.7

The words "rime" and "ffense" are generally used as synonymous terms.8

A crime being the violation of a public law, it follows that the violation of a city or village ordinance is not a criminal offense: such ordinances are not public laws.9