Criminal Negligence Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Criminal Negligence.

Criminal Negligence (Noun)

Criminal negligence refers to a level of carelessness that law views as significantly severe or reckless. It occurs when an individual fails to exercise a reasonable level of caution or care, thereby contributing to a dangerous or potentially life-threatening situation. This lack of attention or disregard for safety is considered serious enough to be punishable by law. It's different from ordinary negligence because the individual is deemed to have acted so carelessly that it's considered a violation of a legal duty to society, and not just to a specific person.