Certified Fraud Examiner Practice 2025 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

The term "de minimis infraction" specifically refers to minor legal violations that are often considered too trivial to warrant significant attention or meriting enforcement. This legal principle stems from the idea that the law does not concern itself with such insignificant matters that do not affect the public interest substantially.

In practical terms, a de minimis infraction might occur in various contexts, such as minor building code violations or small discrepancies in reporting that do not result in any harm or serious consequences. Because of their insignificant nature, these infractions are frequently overlooked by law enforcement and regulatory bodies, allowing for minor offenders to avoid severe penalties.

Other terms, such as "minor offense," suggest a slightly broader scope of wrongdoing that could involve issues warranting more attention. "Trivial pursuit," while it might convey a sense of dealing with trivial matters, does not have a recognized legal connotation and is more commonly associated with the board game of the same name. "Petty crime" typically encompasses minor criminal offenses but can imply a legal consequence or record, which is not necessarily reflected in the concept of a de minimis infraction. Thus, "de minimis infraction" is the most appropriate term for describing these minor legal violations.