Welcome to the very first post in a new category here on Because Crime Doesn’t Pay (Enough) - Legal Mythbusting. Every week or so, I’ll tackle one of those persistent legal misconceptions that seem to survive no matter how many court judgments, solicitors, or common-sense reality checks try to kill them off.

This series is for law students, clients, business owners, and anyone who’s ever said “I heard you can’t get done for that” and lived to regret it.

And to kick things off? We’re starting with a big one.

Myth: "If It's Not a Crime, Then It's Not Illegal"

Nope. Just... no.

This misunderstanding usually comes from a confusion between criminal law (which everyone knows about thanks to TV dramas and tabloid headlines) and civil law, which makes up the vast majority of everyday legal disputes - but rarely gets the spotlight.

Here’s the truth:

You don’t need to commit a crime to be sued. And just because the police aren’t involved doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.

Enter: The Law of Torts

If you’ve never heard the word tort, don’t worry - you’re in good company. But tort law is all around us. It’s the part of civil law that deals with wrongful acts (that aren’t breaches of contract) that cause harm to others.

If someone:

  • Negligently crashes into your car
  • Publishes lies that damage your reputation
  • Trespasses on your land
  • Harasses you or causes psychiatric harm

…they’ve likely committed a tort. Not a crime. But a civil wrong - one that entitles you to sue.

Torts don’t put people in prison. But they do lead to damages, injunctions, and real consequences.

Civil ≠ Optional

Here’s the part most people miss: the consequences of a civil wrong can be just as disruptive as criminal ones - if not more so.

Being found liable in tort might mean:

  • Paying thousands (or millions) in damages
  • Being subject to a court order or injunction
  • Losing your business or insurance coverage
  • Being named and shamed in the press

And unlike criminal trials, the standard of proof is lower - it’s “balance of probabilities,” not “beyond reasonable doubt.”

So you’re easier to sue than to prosecute. Good to know, right?

Final Thought: Civil Law Is Law

In tort law, you’re not being prosecuted by the state - you’re being held accountable by the people you harm. It’s the law in action, just through a different channel.

So next time you hear someone say, “It’s not a crime, so I’m fine,” feel free to mythbust them:

“Actually, if it’s a tort, you might still owe a lot - and lose even more.”

Stay tuned for next week’s Legal Mythbusting post - and if there’s a myth you want debunked, send it in. Because the only thing more dangerous than breaking the law... is not understanding how many kinds of law there really are.