There are two types of law. Contracts are civil law. Breaking them does not break criminal law. Civil vs. criminal law has different procedures, different burdens of proof, and different potential consequences.

When it comes to contracts, no, there are no "laws", there are agreements between parties that can be enforced if taken to court, and in that sense they are binding. But breaking them does not break any law... it just breaks an agreement.

It's not that simple.

https://www.parzfirm.com/blog/when-does-breach-of-contract-b...

> When Does a Breach Become Criminal?

> For a breach of contract to rise to the level of criminal activity, the act must involve elements of fraud, intent to deceive, or theft. These cases go beyond simple noncompliance with contractual terms—they involve behaviors that violate state or federal laws. Some scenarios where contract breaches may involve criminal activity include:

> * Fraudulent intent: If a party enters into a contract without any intention of fulfilling the terms, this may constitute fraud. For instance, accepting payment for services without any intention of delivering.

> * Pattern of deceptive behavior: When a party repeatedly breaches contracts with the intent to defraud others or engage in fraudulent schemes, it can elevate the breach to a criminal offense. A pattern of deceptive behavior indicates a systematic intent to deceive and defraud, which may result in criminal charges.

The goalpost is moving.

2 posts before:

> But violating a contract isn't against the law.

Now:

> Contracts are civil law. Breaking them does not break criminal law.