Entrepreneurship · Lesson Plan

Business Law: Crimes

Every entrepreneur should understand the law that governs business conduct. This lesson introduces criminal law as it applies to business: the key terminology — crime, felony, misdemeanor, violation, mens rea, duress, and forgery — with business examples, so students can tell the difference between civil wrongs and crimes and recognize common business-related offenses.

Grades 11–12 / College Lesson Plan 45–60 minutes Free Lesson Plan Lesson & Worksheet: Full Membership

For Teachers

Lesson at a glance

Topic: Entrepreneurship
Grade Level: Grades 11–12 / College
Resource Type: Lesson + Worksheet
Estimated Time: 45–60 minutes
Format: Lesson + worksheet
Materials: Printable lesson, activity sheet, whiteboard

What Students Learn

Learning objectives

Define crime and distinguish it from a tort
Distinguish felony, misdemeanor, and violation
Explain mens rea and duress
Define forgery and other business crimes
Recognize crimes in a business context

Materials

What you’ll need

Printed lesson and worksheet (one per student)
Pencils

Key Terms

Vocabulary

Crime: An act or omission in violation of a public law.
Felony: A serious crime punishable by more than a year or death.
Misdemeanor: A lesser crime punishable by up to a year and/or a fine.
Mens rea: The mental element (intent) required for a crime.
Duress: Forcible restraint that can be a defense to a charge.
Forgery: Falsely altering a writing with intent to defraud.

For Teachers

Lesson plan

Estimated time: one 45–60 minute class period.

Lesson sequence

Crime vs. tort (10 min). Define crime and distinguish it from a civil wrong.
Categories (15 min). Felony, misdemeanor, and violation, with examples.
Key terms (15 min). Mens rea, duress, and forgery in business contexts.
Worksheet (15 min). Students classify offenses and apply the terms.

Assessment

Assess the worksheet for correct classification and use of the terminology.

Discussion

Discussion questions

What makes an act a crime?
How do felonies, misdemeanors, and violations differ?
What does mens rea mean?
How can duress be a defense?
What is forgery, and how might it occur in business?

Printable Lesson & Activity