Legal Definitions - traitor

A traitor is an individual who commits an act of profound betrayal. In its most serious legal sense, it refers to a person who commits treason against their own country, which involves grave offenses such as waging war against the nation or providing aid and comfort to its enemies. More broadly, the term can describe anyone who deeply betrays a person, a cause, or a significant trust or obligation.

• Example 1 (Treason against a country): During a period of heightened international conflict, a military intelligence officer, disillusioned with their government, secretly transmits highly classified defense plans to an opposing foreign power. This action directly endangers their nation's security and provides critical advantage to an adversary.

  Explanation: This scenario exemplifies the legal definition of a traitor because the officer is committing treason by aiding an enemy of their country, thereby betraying their nation and their oath of service.

• Example 2 (Betrayal of a cause): A long-standing leader of a community organization dedicated to preserving local historical landmarks suddenly votes in favor of a proposal to demolish a significant historic building to make way for a new commercial development, despite years of publicly advocating for its protection.

  Explanation: Here, the leader is considered a traitor to the cause they championed and to the trust placed in them by the community members who supported the preservation efforts. Their actions betray the very principles and objectives of the organization they led.

• Example 3 (Betrayal of a person or trust): A business partner, entrusted with confidential company financial data, deliberately leaks that sensitive information to a competitor in exchange for personal financial gain, severely damaging their own company's market position and reputation.

  Explanation: This illustrates a betrayal of trust and obligation to their business partner and the company. By undermining the company for personal profit, the individual acts as a traitor to their partnership and professional responsibilities.