Crime is any behavior or action that violates a law established by a governmental authority, subjecting the violator to legal punishment. It can range from minor infractions such as traffic violations to major offenses like murder.
Related terms
Deviance: Deviation from societal norms and expectations without necessarily breaking a law.
Social Control: Mechanisms, strategies, and institutions society employs to persuade or enforce conformity to its norms and laws.
Criminal Justice System: The network of courts, law enforcement agencies, and correctional facilities involved in apprehension, prosecution, and punishment of criminals