What is the legal term for the act of committing a crime?

The act of committing a crime is referred to as "actus reus." This term specifically denotes the physical act or conduct that constitutes a criminal offense. For a crime to be established legally, there must be an act that can be attributed to the perpetrator, which is the basis of actus reus. This concept emphasizes that mere intention or thought (mens rea, or criminal intent) is not enough to constitute a crime; there must also be an actual act performed that is illegal.

In legal contexts, actus reus encompasses various forms of actions or omissions that are classified as criminal. It is essential in the analysis of criminal liability because, without an actus reus, there cannot be a prosecution or conviction for a crime. Thus, this term serves as a foundational element of criminal law, integral to understanding how laws are applied in prosecutorial contexts.