What term describes a prohibited act under the law?

The term that describes a prohibited act under the law is "Actus Reus." This concept refers to the physical act or conduct that constitutes a criminal offense. In legal terms, for a behavior to be deemed a crime, there must typically be an action that is explicitly forbidden by law, which is encapsulated by the phrase "Actus Reus." This action can be a voluntary movement, an omission when there is a duty to act, or a state of being that is defined by law as illegal.

This term is a fundamental component of criminal law, as criminal liability often requires both actus reus and mens rea, which is the mental state or intent behind the act. Understanding the concept of actus reus is crucial because it establishes that a crime involves an actual occurrence or action that violates legal statutes.