2006-08-20 02:11:55 · 21 answers · asked by willie m 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
They are NOT the same.
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/munlawfu.html
What's the difference between unlawful and illegal?
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Dear Straight Dope:
What is the difference between "illegal" and "unlawful"? (Please, no old jokes about sick birds.) I can understand why legislators would want fancy words in the official law books, but what is the reason to put "unlawful" on street signs and other places where simple words would work better? --Ken Miller
SDSTAFF Dianne replies:
While I guess it would depend on what the sign was warning you against, the short answer is that they are two different things. Illegal means "against or not authorized by law." Unlawful means "contrary to, prohibited, or unauthorized by law...while necessarily not implying the element of criminality, it is broad enough to include it." (Black's Law Dictionary) So, for example, you could unlawfully stay in your apartment after your lease is up (unlawful detainer) but that's not a crime against the state, it's a civil wrong (tort) against your landlord. If the landlord then took you to court and had you properly evicted, and you then returned to the premises, you might then be guilty of the crime of trespassing. Trespassing is illegal. See how easy?
2006-08-20 02:18:06 · answer #1 · answered by ratboy 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think "illegal" means the act is against the law, no matter what. "Unlawful" would be an act which is illegal under certain circumstances, but could be legal if procedures are followed. For example, it is illegal to rob, kill, or speed under any circumstances. But, "unlawful assembly" is perfectly legal if you have a permit. That's what I believe divides the two terms.
2006-08-20 09:20:12 · answer #2 · answered by fishing66833 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It would seem that one difference, according to dictionary.com anyway, is that unlawful always deals directly with actual law and illegal could be used in terms of law as well as sporting events or games. Like an illegal move in football or chess.
Okay...what ratboy said too!
2006-08-20 09:20:15 · answer #3 · answered by Windseeker_1 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unlawful describes behaviour, and illegal is used for the actual act.
2006-08-20 09:15:56 · answer #4 · answered by Woods C18 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps nothing
Illegal, or unlawful, is used to describe something that is prohibited or not authorized by law or, more generally, by rules specific to a particular situation (such as a game).
There may be a connotation vs. denotation consideration here
2006-08-20 09:17:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Illegal & Unlawful mean the same thing.
2006-08-20 09:15:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
"Unlawful" indicates a lack of legal legitimacy or justification, although not necessarily contravening any specific legislation or rule. "Illegal" indicates a contravention (a breaking) of specific legislation or rules. The words are generally interchangeable except in technical discussions of the law.
2006-08-20 11:11:47 · answer #7 · answered by BoredBookworm 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically the same. From Dictionary.com:
Unlawful: Not lawful; illegal.
Contrary to accepted morality or convention; illicit.
Illegal: Prohibited by law
2006-08-20 09:16:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If something is unlawful it is illegal. ie. if it is against the law, it is illegal.
2006-08-20 09:23:09 · answer #9 · answered by ADRIAN H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unlawful mean not quite breaking the law. illeagal means against the law.
2006-08-20 09:16:44 · answer #10 · answered by army_boy0636 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋