Can something be against the law and not be a crime?

[tarmand]

The guy sitting in for Rush Limbaugh today just said that just because someone breaks a law doesn't mean they are criminals and that just because something is against the law, doesn't make it a crime. What do you guys think?

Oh, and don't go off on me for listening to Rush Limbaugh. I can only catch one AM station in my office and Rush is on it for a few hours a day. Rush is the only non-local host that I am forced to listen to.

 

[jbdreamer]

Sure why not. I am sure we have all broken the law at one time. I know I have, but I am certainly not a criminal.

 

[FreshTressa]

Well...I know you can commit a crime, and not break the law!

 

[Christine]

According to my Webster's dictionary a criminal is one who has committed a crime. When you look up "crime" you get:

an acto or the commission of an act that is forbidden or the omission of a duty that is commanded by a public law and that makes the offender liable to punishment by that law.

I don't really see how you can NOT be a criminal if you break a law--that is, if you follow the dictionary.

But some people think of criminals as "thugs." There are some "morals" laws here in Virginia that are ridiculous. And I guess if you broke one of those laws you would be technically considered a criminal, but I don't "perceive" it that way myself.

I speed, which is breaking the law, but I don't consider myself a criminal.

 

[NMAmy]

Well, it depends on the law. I don't consider someone who jaywalks or parks illegally a criminal. Annoying, yeah. Criminal, no.

 

[Beth76]

We'd all be criminals by that logic then. Everyone has committed some sort of moving or parking violation when driving--even if never caught. I'm sure some people have accidentally taken a pen or something from the bank or place of employment. It's just like sins. Everyone sins, no one is perfect. Same with laws. I challenge anyone to find someone who has NEVER, absolutely never, broken some sort of law, no matter how small.

 

[declansdad]

In Canada and I believe it is similar the US laws can be distinguished between public and private laws. Private laws are usually dusputes between individuals and can fall under tort law for example. Tresspass is an example of tort law. You can trespass on private property, be sued for it, have to pay damages but not have a criminal record. I would say that technically, his statement is correct.

 

[Bob Slydell]

By definition, if you do something against the law (e.g. speeding, jaywalking, etc.) it's a crime. Not necessarily something that's prosecuted for (e.g. going 5 MPH over the speed limit or well, jaywalking) or something you're caught for.

And technically, everyone who's had a speeding ticket or parking ticket, etc. is a criminal. There's a reeeeeeeally broad spectrum of criminals, however.

 

[tarmand]

I guess you guys are right. I wasn't in agreement with him, but I think it was more because I thought that breaking the particular law that they were referring to made you somewhat of a criminal. But, now that I'm thinking about it, I might have to crawfish away from that thought too since I probably wouldn't meet some of these people and instantly think "criminal".

 

[salmoneous]

Note that there is a special exception for the POTUS. He can break all the laws he wants*, but since he is above the law it doesn't count.

* The expection to the exception being lying about sex - that counts even if you are the POTUS.

 

[bicker]

Many folks who break the law are never charged, and many law-breakers who are charged aren't convicted.