Criminal liability is defined as ______.

Criminal liability is defined as ______.

• A. Responsibility for wrongdoing against a private party
• B. Responsibility for wrongdoing against society as a whole
• C. Duty owed to others
• D. Liability for civil damages

Answer: (B)

Criminal liability means holding someone responsible for an act that is a crime—an offense against the public order, not just harm to an individual. Because crimes affect the public interest, the government prosecutes in the name of society, and penalties aim at protecting the community (such as imprisonment or fines). This differs from civil liability, which arises from private wrongs between individuals and usually results in damages paid to the injured party. The other options describe private duties or civil damages, not crimes against the public, which is why criminal liability is defined as responsibility for wrongdoing against society as a whole.

Criminal liability means holding someone responsible for an act that is a crime—an offense against the public order, not just harm to an individual. Because crimes affect the public interest, the government prosecutes in the name of society, and penalties aim at protecting the community (such as imprisonment or fines). This differs from civil liability, which arises from private wrongs between individuals and usually results in damages paid to the injured party. The other options describe private duties or civil damages, not crimes against the public, which is why criminal liability is defined as responsibility for wrongdoing against society as a whole.