Can a business be subject to both criminal and administrative penalties for the same incident?

• A. No, only one type applies.
• B. Yes. Both can occur simultaneously.
• C. Only if the case goes to court first.
• D. Only for major violations.

Answer: (B)

Both criminal and administrative penalties can apply to the same incident because enforcement happens on two tracks: criminal law and regulatory licensing. A business that commits a prohibited act can be prosecuted in court and face penalties like fines or imprisonment if convicted. At the same time, the licensing or regulatory agency can impose administrative actions for the same conduct, such as suspending or revoking the license and/or charging fines or requiring compliance measures. These processes are separate and can run concurrently, so you can have criminal penalties and administrative penalties at the same time. For example, selling to a minor may lead to criminal charges and also to regulatory penalties against the business’s license.