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Wrongdoing

society Maturity 13-18 Next article →

Sometimes people do things that are wrong. A wrong can be an act that is illegal. It can also be an act that is not kind.

There are two main types of wrongs. One type is a legal wrong. This means a person broke a law. A legal wrong can be a crime. It can also be a civil wrong. Some acts, like fraud, can be both. In the 13th century, laws began to separate these two types.

Another type is a moral wrong. This is about what is right or wrong in our hearts. Some moral wrongs are also crimes, like murder. Other moral wrongs are just unkind. They are not always against the law. Some legal wrongs are not moral wrongs. For example, parking in the wrong spot is a law break. But it is not a mean act.

Laws use different ways to fix wrongs. A small rule break might lead to a fine. A big crime leads to a larger punishment. This helps keep things fair. The law also helps when someone is hurt. They may get money to pay for the damage.

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