What does "criminal procedure" refer to?

"Criminal procedure" refers to the legal rules that govern the processes used within the criminal justice system, encompassing how crimes are investigated, charges are filed, trials are conducted, and appeals are managed. This area of law ensures that the rights of individuals are protected throughout the various stages of the judicial process and that the enforcement of laws is carried out fairly and consistently.

Choosing the first option as the correct answer is appropriate because it highlights the significant focus of criminal procedure on the procedural aspects that dictate how justice is administered. This includes due process rights, evidentiary standards, and the rules that law enforcement must follow when conducting investigations and arrests.

The other options, while related to the criminal justice system, do not define "criminal procedure" specifically. Defining criminal acts pertains to substantive criminal law, law enforcement operations usually encompass policies and tactics rather than legal rules, and jury selection guidelines are a specific part of procedural law but do not encompass the broader concept of criminal procedure as a whole.