A crime is fundamentally an unlawful act punishable by a state or authority, considered harmful not only to an individual but also to the wider community. Despite this general understanding, there is no simple, universally accepted definition, as what constitutes a crime is precisely defined by the criminal law of each specific jurisdiction. Modern criminal law typically requires both a "criminal act" (actus reus) and "criminal intent" (mens rea) for an action to be classified as a crime, distinguishing it from civil law breaches.
Offenders found guilty face severe consequences, including imprisonment, life imprisonment, or even the death penalty in some jurisdictions, with investigations and trials adhering to strict procedures. Beyond legal frameworks, sociology often views crime as a social construct tied to violations of societal norms, while psychology focuses on the perpetrator's state of mind. This highlights crime as a multifaceted concept, understood differently across legal, philosophical, and social perspectives.