Legal Definitions - commit

In a legal context, the term "commit" has several distinct meanings:

• To carry out or perform an illegal act. This refers to the act of perpetrating a crime or an offense.

  • Example 1: A person who intentionally sets fire to an abandoned building would be said to commit arson.

    Explanation: This example illustrates the act of performing an illegal act, specifically the crime of arson.

  • Example 2: An employee who embezzles funds from their company is said to commit a financial crime.

    Explanation: Here, "commit" refers to the action of carrying out the illegal act of embezzlement.

• To legally order an individual to be confined in a correctional institution or a mental health treatment facility, typically following a court decision. This meaning involves a formal legal process, often by a judge, to place someone in a specific institution.

  • Example 1: After a jury found the defendant guilty of grand theft, the judge decided to commit them to state prison for a period of three years.

    Explanation: This demonstrates the court's power to legally order an individual's confinement in a correctional facility after a conviction.

  • Example 2: A court may commit an individual to a psychiatric hospital if they are deemed a danger to themselves or others due to a severe mental health condition, even if they have not committed a crime.

    Explanation: This illustrates the court's authority to mandate placement in a mental health facility for treatment and public safety, based on a legal determination of need.