What constitutes a crime?

The defining aspect of crime is that it can be understood as an act or a failure to act that is prohibited by law. This broad definition encompasses not only overt actions, like theft or assault, but also omissions, which can include scenarios where a person fails to take action when there is a legal duty to do so, such as failing to report child abuse.

Understanding crime in this context highlights the importance of legal statutes that dictate which behaviors are criminalized and demonstrates that criminality can exist in various forms, not limited solely to harmful actions against individuals. This definition captures the essence of criminal law, which aims to penalize conduct that is recognized as harmful to society, regardless of whether it involves active wrongdoing or neglect of duty.