Which of the following are examples of crimes?

• A. Insurance fraud; malpractice; defamation; assault and battery
• B. Practicing without supervision; stealing; practicing without license; insurance fraud
• C. Contract breach; negligence; fraud; trespass
• D. Thefts; speeding; littering; noise violation

Answer: (B)

Crimes are actions prohibited by law that carry criminal penalties because they threaten public safety or welfare. Among these options, stealing and insurance fraud are clear criminal offenses: taking someone else’s property by deceit is theft, and deceiving a system for financial gain is fraud. Practicing dentistry without a valid license is illegal because licensure safeguards patient safety and professional standards; doing so without proper authorization violates statutes designed to protect the public.

The other items tend to be civil or regulatory issues rather than crimes in themselves. Malpractice and negligence are typically civil torts or grounds for professional discipline, not crimes punished by criminal courts. Contract breach and trespass can involve civil claims, and in some cases may also be criminal under specific circumstances, but they are not the prototypical criminal offenses like theft, fraud, or unlicensed practice. Therefore, the combination that clearly comprises crimes centers on unlicensed practice and deceptive wrongdoing.