Legal Definition for Responsible

The state of being liable--that is, legally responsible for an act or omission.
http://www.nolo.com/definition.cfm/Term/F86A54A4-32FB-4451-B6A20AFE8A180834/alpha/L/

liable: Legally responsible. For example, a person may be liable for a debt, liable for an accident due to careless behavior, liable for failing do something required by a contract or liable for the commission of a crime. Someone who is found liable for an act or omission must usually pay damages or, if the act was a criminal one, face punishment. See also liability .
http://www.nolo.com/definition.cfm/term/A9E08CA9-C850-47C4-B91FE65AA90FA08B

responsible adj. 1) legally liable or accountable. 2) having the ability to pay or perform.
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/responsible

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