What type of crime is characterized by acts that are wrong in themselves?

Mala en se crimes refer to acts that are inherently wrong or evil, regardless of whether they are prohibited by law. These crimes are recognized as harmful to society and violate moral standards. Examples include murder, rape, and robbery—actions that are generally condemned across different cultures and legal systems because they directly harm individuals or society as a whole.

In contrast, mala prohibita crimes are offenses that are deemed wrong primarily because they are defined as such by statute or regulation. These may include actions like jaywalking or drug possession, which might not be considered inherently immoral. The distinction lies in the nature of the wrongdoing itself; mala en se crimes reflect a fundamental violation of justice, while mala prohibita crimes depend on legal frameworks to define their criminality.

Understanding this classification helps in comprehending the societal and moral implications of different types of crime, as mala en se crimes typically provoke a stronger societal reaction due to their intrinsic moral consequences.