Legal Definitions - perpetrate

Perpetrate (verb)

To perpetrate an act means to carry it out or commit it, especially when referring to something harmful, wrongful, or criminal. It emphasizes the active role of an individual or group in bringing about a particular deed.

Here are some examples to illustrate this term:

• Example 1: "The authorities launched a full investigation to identify the individual who perpetrated the sophisticated cyberattack, which disabled critical infrastructure across several states."

  Explanation: In this scenario, "perpetrated" refers to the act of carrying out the cyberattack. The person or group responsible for initiating and executing this harmful digital assault is the one who perpetrated it.

• Example 2: "During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence showing how the defendant had meticulously planned and perpetrated the elaborate insurance fraud scheme over several years."

  Explanation: Here, "perpetrated" describes the defendant's actions in committing the insurance fraud. It highlights their active involvement in planning and executing the wrongful financial scheme.

• Example 3: "The company faced severe public backlash after it was revealed that a rogue employee had perpetrated a widespread privacy violation, sharing sensitive customer data without consent."

  Explanation: This example uses "perpetrated" to describe the employee's act of carrying out the privacy violation. It signifies their direct responsibility for committing the harmful and unauthorized disclosure of information.