So your definition of the word criminal only extends to people who got caught and convicted? In your definition a murderer who hasn’t been caught is not a criminal?
No, he’s not, because nobody has proven that he actually did murder someone.
Saying someone is a criminal without any actual evidence and due process is possibly very harmful for that person, you’d agree if someone accused you of doing something you didn’t do and faced having your life ruined over such a baseless accusation
Well, if they have to discern the two meanings, it’s because it might have a different meaning in different contexts, at least that’s how I’d understand it.
The context of “Altman is a criminal” fits neither, as it’s not a publicly known fact that he has commited a crime, nor has he been convicted of one.
Allegations that his sister made are just that, allegations, it does not make him a criminal.
So your definition of the word criminal only extends to people who got caught and convicted? In your definition a murderer who hasn’t been caught is not a criminal?
No, he’s not, because nobody has proven that he actually did murder someone.
Saying someone is a criminal without any actual evidence and due process is possibly very harmful for that person, you’d agree if someone accused you of doing something you didn’t do and faced having your life ruined over such a baseless accusation
Let’s look at the definition in Merriam Webster: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/criminal
You’re disregarding #1 completely for some reason and it’s not evident to why.
Well, if they have to discern the two meanings, it’s because it might have a different meaning in different contexts, at least that’s how I’d understand it.
The context of “Altman is a criminal” fits neither, as it’s not a publicly known fact that he has commited a crime, nor has he been convicted of one.
Allegations that his sister made are just that, allegations, it does not make him a criminal.
*caught
(Not being snarky, i realize english might not be your first language),
Thanks! Fixed it, and yes it’s my 4th language ^^