Legal Definitions - public wrong

A public wrong is an offense committed against the state or the community at large. It is dealt with in a proceeding to which the state is itself a party. This means that the government takes legal action against the person who committed the offense. Not all public wrongs are crimes. For example, if a person breaches a contract with the government, they commit a public wrong, but the offense is a civil one, not a criminal one.

• If a person vandalizes a public park, they commit a public wrong because they have damaged property that belongs to the community.
• If a company pollutes a river, they commit a public wrong because they have harmed the environment and the people who rely on the river for drinking water and recreation.

These examples illustrate how a public wrong is an offense that affects the community as a whole, rather than just one individual. The government takes legal action to protect the interests of the community and ensure that the offender is held accountable for their actions.