term:

Offense

offense

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.

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.