What term describes an action that is in violation of constitutional laws or statutes?

The term that describes an action that is in violation of constitutional laws or statutes is "criminal act." A criminal act involves behaviors or actions that are prohibited by law and are punishable by the state. These violations can range from minor offenses, like misdemeanors, to serious crimes, such as felonies, depending on the severity of the act and the specific legal framework of a jurisdiction.

Understanding this term is crucial because it encompasses a wide range of unlawful activities, from theft and assault to more complex offenses like fraud or drug trafficking. This categorization underlines the nature of the legal system, where certain actions are deemed unacceptable and are charged with penalties meant to deter such behavior and maintain social order.

In contrast, the other terms refer to different concepts. An infraction typically refers to a minor violation that may not necessarily be classified as a criminal act, such as a traffic violation. A civil offense is generally related to disputes between individuals or organizations, leading to civil lawsuits rather than criminal prosecution. Lastly, liability refers to responsibility for a breach of duty or commitment, which can arise in both civil and criminal contexts but does not specifically denote an unlawful act.