Offense - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition offense

offense

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or
of·fence
[ə-fens]

n
1 : a violation of the law
;esp
: a criminal act [nor shall any person be subject for the same to be twice put in jeopardy "U.S. Constitution amend. V"] see also lesser included offense
2 in the civil law of Louisiana
: an intentional unlawful act that causes damage to another and for which the law imposes an obligation for damages compare quasi contract at contract, quasi-offense NOTE: Breach of contract, offenses, quasi-offenses, and quasi contracts are the bases for civil liability under the civil law. Offenses and quasi-offenses are comparable to common-law torts.