Legal Definitions - wrongdoer

A wrongdoer is an individual or entity that has committed an act that violates a legal duty or a specific law, causing harm or injury to another party or to society. This term encompasses actions that breach both criminal and civil legal standards.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a wrongdoer:

• Example 1: A driver, distracted by their phone, runs a red light and causes a collision with another vehicle, resulting in injuries to the other driver.

  Explanation: The distracted driver is a wrongdoer because they violated traffic laws and their legal duty to operate a vehicle safely, causing harm to another person. Their actions could lead to civil liability for damages and potentially criminal charges depending on the jurisdiction and severity.

• Example 2: An employee at a financial institution uses their access to client accounts to secretly transfer a small amount of money from multiple accounts into their own over several months.

  Explanation: This employee is a wrongdoer because they engaged in theft and fraud, which are criminal offenses. They violated laws designed to protect property and prevent deceptive practices, causing financial harm to the clients and the institution.

• Example 3: A manufacturing company knowingly releases a product with a significant design flaw that makes it unsafe for consumers, leading to several instances of property damage and minor injuries.

  Explanation: The manufacturing company is a wrongdoer because it violated its legal duty to produce safe products and potentially consumer protection laws. By knowingly distributing a defective and dangerous product, it caused harm to consumers and their property.