Which term refers to a violation of law?

The term that refers to a violation of law is "Offense." An offense is any act that contravenes a law, regulation, or rule. This can include a wide range of unlawful behaviors, from minor infractions to serious crimes. The term encompasses both civil and criminal violations, which means that if someone breaks a law, they have committed an offense.

In contrast, a charge refers to a formal accusation made by a governmental authority asserting that someone has committed a crime, but it doesn't inherently mean that a violation of the law has occurred until further action is taken. A conviction is the legal outcome that follows a trial or a plea where someone is found guilty of an offense, marking the consequence rather than the action itself. The term "defer" relates to postponing something and is not connected to the context of legal violations. Understanding these distinctions is key in grasping legal terminology and its implications.