Who is typically responsible for defining criminal offenses within legal statutes?

The responsibility for defining criminal offenses within legal statutes falls to legislators. Legislators are elected officials who draft, propose, and enact laws, including those that define what constitutes a criminal act and the corresponding penalties. This process typically involves public discussion, committee reviews, and voting, ensuring that various perspectives are considered before a law is established.

In contrast, while judges interpret laws and apply them in court cases, their role does not involve defining the offenses themselves. The attorney general, often acting as the principal legal advisor for the state, may influence legislation or provide opinions on legal matters but does not directly create the laws. The police department is tasked with enforcing laws as they exist, but they do not have the authority to define criminal offenses. Therefore, the role of legislators is crucial in establishing the framework of criminal law.