Legal Definitions - lawbreaker

A lawbreaker is an individual or entity that commits an act prohibited by law or fails to perform an act required by law. This term applies to anyone who violates established legal rules, statutes, or regulations, regardless of the nature or severity of the offense.

• Example 1: During a public protest, a demonstrator ignored police instructions to disperse and remained blocking a public street, which is against local ordinances.

  Explanation 1: By refusing to comply with a lawful police order and violating a public assembly ordinance, the demonstrator acted in a way that goes against established legal rules, making them a lawbreaker in that instance.

• Example 2: A small business owner consistently failed to pay the required sales tax collected from customers to the state government, instead keeping the money for personal use.

  Explanation 2: The business owner's deliberate failure to remit collected taxes, as mandated by tax law, constitutes a violation of financial regulations. This makes the owner a lawbreaker for not fulfilling a legal obligation.

• Example 3: An individual downloaded and distributed copyrighted movies online without permission from the rights holders, despite clear legal protections for intellectual property.

  Explanation 3: By sharing copyrighted material without authorization, the individual violated intellectual property laws designed to protect creators' rights. This act of infringement makes them a lawbreaker.