Legal Definitions - substantive crime

Definition: A substantive crime is a criminal offense that is considered to be a violation of the law. It is a crime that involves an actual act or behavior that is prohibited by law, rather than just a thought or intention.

Example: Murder, theft, and assault are all examples of substantive crimes. These are actions that are specifically prohibited by law and are punishable by the legal system. In contrast, a person's thoughts or intentions to commit a crime are not considered substantive crimes until they take action to carry out those intentions.

Explanation: The examples illustrate the definition of substantive crime by showing that these are actual actions that are prohibited by law and can result in legal consequences. It is important to note that not all actions are considered substantive crimes, as some may be legal or may not be specifically prohibited by law.