ordinary illegal act

In China, the legal system distinguishes between crimes and ordinary illegal acts. Crimes are behaviors punishable by a court under criminal law, while ordinary illegal acts can be handled administratively by nonjudicial bodies like the police, often with less formal procedures and no right to appeal to a court.1

The distinction between a crime and a mere illegal act can depend on circumstances such as the identity of those involved or the perceived severity of the act. Chinese officials have considerable discretion in applying the law, meaning an act deemed "minor" by the police might be handled administratively, while a similar act considered "serious" could face criminal court proceedings with much harsher penalties. This discretion is a significant aspect of how Chinese law is administered.1