Legal Definitions - commitment

Definition: Commitment is a promise to do something or act in a particular way. It can refer to a contract or an obligation to undertake something, often regarding financial or moral responsibility. For example, a financial commitment is the amount a person should pay regularly, while a family commitment is a promise to be there for your loved ones.

Commitment can also refer to an action or an order that a court issues to confine a person to a prison, jail, or a treatment facility. Specifically, a judge orders legal enforcement officers to bring an offender or a patient to such places. The usual reasons for committing someone to prison or jail are for crime, contempt, or contumacy, while the reasons for being committed to other types of treatment facilities are for mental illness, developmental disabilities, and/or addiction treatment. This is called involuntarycivil commitment.

Commitment can also mean engaging in an act, such as committing a crime, entrusting, or consigning. For example, if someone commits a crime, they are breaking the law and may face consequences such as fines or imprisonment.

Overall, commitment involves making a promise or taking responsibility for something, whether it be financial, moral, legal, or personal.