What defines criminal liability?

Criminal liability is defined as the legal responsibility of an individual for their actions that violate criminal law. When a person is held legally responsible for breaking the law, it implies that they have committed an act (or omission) that has been deemed a crime by the state. This accountability means that if proven guilty in a court of law, the individual can face penalties such as imprisonment, fines, or other forms of punishment according to the severity of the offense.

The other options describe different concepts. While ethical violations might lead to repercussions, they do not constitute criminal liability unless they also break criminal laws. Committing a civil wrong pertains to non-criminal offenses often dealt with in civil court, such as negligence or breach of contract, which do not invoke criminal liability. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a fundamental principle in criminal law that protects individuals during the legal process but does not define the essence of criminal liability itself.