What is the difference between a tort and a crime?

In: Lawsuits, Crime and Criminal Law, Torts

A tort is a civil wrongdoing for which the person committing the tort may have to pay compensatory or punitive damages to the party who suffered some type of injury as a result of the tort. Torts are brought to court by the injured party.

A crime is a criminal wrongdoing prohibited by the government for which the person committing the crime may be sentenced to jail or be fined. The government initiates the presecution for a crime.

Some actions are both a tort and a crime at the same time and illustrate the differences. A person who punches another another person commits both a tort and a crime. The puncher will be liable to the punchee for compensatory damages for pain and suffering and possibly for punitive damages as well. The puncher will also be subject to arrest and conviction for the crime of assult and may be sentenced to jail or have to pay a fine. All for the same punch.

First answer by Rlenahan. Last edit by Rlenahan. Contributor trust: 82 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 1 [recommend question]

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