Which statement best captures the difference between criminal and administrative actions?

• A. Criminal penalties target individuals; administrative penalties target businesses.
• B. They are the same type of action.
• C. Criminal penalties are always civil fines; administrative penalties are always suspensions.
• D. They apply to different agencies.

Answer: (A)

When we compare criminal and administrative actions, the main distinction is who they focus on and why they’re imposed. Criminal actions enforce the criminal law to punish conduct that harms the public, typically involving individuals who commit offenses, with penalties that can include imprisonment, probation, or fines. Administrative actions are regulatory, carried out by an agency to ensure compliance with licensing and other rules, and the penalties are usually aimed at the licensee or business—such as fines, suspensions, or license revocation. In practice, licensing cases focus on the business or licenseholder, while criminal cases focus on the person committing the crime. So the idea that criminal penalties target individuals and administrative penalties target businesses best captures this difference.