Crime or Tort
Stealing a car
Crime
What are the four elements of a tort?
Duty, Breach, Injury, Causation
A pizza delivery driver causes an accident while working. Who’s liable?
Employer and employee
A driver runs a red light while drunk and crashes into another car. Why is this both a crime and a tort?
Crime: Violates DUI and traffic laws (public offense). Tort: Causes injury/damage, so the victim can sue for negligence.
What is the goal of criminal law?
To punish and deter wrongdoing
Damaging a neighbor’s fence
Tort
You’re expected to drive carefully but run a red light. What element is missing if no one is hurt?
Injury
A parent is sued after their child vandalizes property. What is this called?
Vicarious liability
A person punches someone during a heated argument. Why is this both a crime and a tort?
Crime: Assault/battery violates public safety laws. Tort: Intentional harm causes injury — victim can sue for damages.
What is the goal of tort law?
To compensate victims for harm
Punching someone in a fight
Both
Failing to clean up a spill that causes someone to slip — what’s the breach?
Not warning others / not cleaning up / acting without care
A store clerk accidentally spills coffee on a customer — who can be sued?
The business (employer)
A store employee steals a customer’s wallet. Why could this be both?
Crime: Theft — illegal act against society. Tort: Wrongful taking of property causing personal loss.
Why is negligence the most common tort?
Because most harm happens through carelessness, not intent.
Shoplifting
Crime
Which element connects the act to the harm caused?
Causation
True or False: Employers are only liable if they knew their employee was careless.
False
A person sets fire to a neighbor’s house. How is this both a crime and a tort?
Crime: Arson — destruction of property, endangering the public. Tort: Property damage and emotional/financial harm — civil lawsuit for compensation.
Which type of tort doesn’t require proving fault?
Strict liability
Publishing a false rumor online that hurts someone’s reputation
Tort
A company ignores safety standards and someone gets burned. Identify all four elements.
Duty: ensure safety; Breach: ignored standards; Injury: burn; Causation: unsafe act caused harm.
Why might the law hold a company liable for an employee’s torts?
To ensure businesses act responsibly in supervision and training.
Why might a victim still sue after the offender is punished?
Criminal court punishes, civil court compensates the victim.
If a student posts a harmful rumor online, what type of tort might that be?
Defamation