Legal Definitions - quasi-criminal

Quasi-criminal

Quasi-criminal refers to a court's ability to punish someone for their actions or lack of action as if they were criminal. This means that even though the offense may not be considered a criminal act, the court can still impose penalties as if it were. For example, if a parent fails to pay child support, the court may find them in contempt and sentence them to jail time. If a hearing is considered quasi-criminal, the person being accused is entitled to all the same legal protections as someone accused of a criminal offense.

One example of a quasi-criminal offense is a traffic violation. While not considered a criminal act, a person who violates traffic laws can still face penalties such as fines, license suspension, or even jail time in some cases. Another example is a violation of a court order, such as failing to comply with a restraining order. Even though this is not a criminal offense, the court can still impose penalties as if it were.

For instance, if someone is caught driving under the influence of alcohol, they may be charged with a criminal offense. However, if they are caught driving with a suspended license, this is considered a quasi-criminal offense. The court can still impose penalties, but the offense is not considered as serious as a criminal offense.