Is committing crimes the same thing as breaking the law?

A fun one. As of the time I left California (about 3 years) spitting on the sidewalk was still on the books as against the law. At most a ticket. the law is on the books, and by spitting , you break the law. read more

Committing a crime is always breaking the law, but breaking the law isn't always a crime. Some laws are civil or administrative, so breaking them isn't a crime, it can be a tort (civil) or violation (regulatory/administrative). To have comitted a crime, one must break a criminal law. read more

Best Answer: Yes, there is a difference. It's very possible to break a law without committing a crime. Things like speeding and running stop lights are breaking the law, but no crime is committed unless during the act of breaking those laws injury to other persons or property occur. read more

The phrase "ignorance of the law is no exception" means that you can be held liable even when you break a law that you didn't know existed. Labeling Crimes Crimes are often referred to by labels based on similar elements including the type of crime that was committed, the type of person that committed it and if it was a violent or nonviolent crime. read more