statutory offence
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A statutory offence is a crime that is specifically defined and prohibited by a written law (a statute) enacted by a legislative body, such as a parliament or congress. This distinguishes it from offences that originated in common law (judge-made law).
Usage
This term is used in legal contexts to classify crimes based on their origin. It emphasizes that the existence and elements of the crime are codified in legislation. - Driving under the influence is a statutory offence in all jurisdictions. - The new environmental protection act created several new statutory offences related to pollution.
Advanced Usage
- "Strict liability statutory offence": A category of statutory offence where the prosecution does not need to prove the defendant's mental state (mens rea), only that the prohibited act was committed.
- Selling alcohol to a minor is often a strict liability statutory offence.
Variants and Related Words
- Statutory crime: A synonym for statutory offence.
- Statutory law: The body of written laws created by legislative bodies.
- Common law offence: A crime based on custom and judicial precedent, as opposed to statute.
Synonyms
- Statutory crime
- Legislative offence
Antonyms
- Common law offence
- Judge-made crime
Noun
- crimes created by statutes and not by common law