Penal suit

Penal \Pe"nal\, a. [L. poenalis, fr. poena punishment: cf. F.
   p['e]nal. See {Pain}.]
   Of or pertaining to punishment, to penalties, or to crimes
   and offenses; pertaining to criminal jurisprudence: as:
   (a) Enacting or threatening punishment; as, a penal statue;
       the penal code.
   (b) Incurring punishment; subject to a penalty; as, a penal
       act or offense.
   (c) Inflicted as punishment; used as a means of punishment;
       as, a penal colony or settlement. "Adamantine chains and
       penal fire." --Milton.
       [1913 Webster]

   {Penal code} (Law), a code of laws concerning crimes and
      offenses and their punishment.

   {Penal laws}, {Penal statutes} (Law), laws prohibiting
      certain acts, and imposing penalties for committing them.
      

   {Penal servitude}, imprisonment with hard labor, in a prison,
      in lieu of transportation. [Great Brit.]

   {Penal suit}, {Penal action} (Law), a suit for penalties.
      [1913 Webster]