pay one's debt to society: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  USUKglobalformallegal
  • To serve the punishment imposed by the criminal justice system so as to fulfil one's legal obligation to the community.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After serving five years in prison, James finally paid his debt to society and was released on parole.

    Después de cumplir cinco años en prisión, James finalmente pagó su deuda con la sociedad y fue liberado bajo libertad condicional.

  • Do you think that he has truly paid his debt to society, or is he still under scrutiny?

    ¿Crees que él realmente ha pagado su deuda con la sociedad, o todavía está bajo escrutinio?

  • The judge reminded the defendant that paying his debt to society was the first step toward rehabilitation.

    El juez le recordó al acusado que pagar su deuda con la sociedad era el primer paso hacia la rehabilitación.

• 2.

  globalformalmoral
  • To make restitution or otherwise atone for wrongdoing in a way that benefits or compensates the community.

  Examples

  Beta

  • After the scandal, the company made donations to local charities to pay its debt to society.

    Después del escándalo, la empresa hizo donaciones a organizaciones benéficas locales para pagar su deuda con la sociedad.

  • She believes that volunteering at the shelter is her way of paying her debt to society for past mistakes.

    Ella cree que ser voluntaria en el refugio es su forma de pagar su deuda con la sociedad por errores pasados.

  • If we all contribute to community projects, we can collectively pay our debt to society and improve our neighborhoods.

    Si todos contribuimos a proyectos comunitarios, podemos pagar colectivamente nuestra deuda con la sociedad y mejorar nuestros vecindarios.