What is a mala in se crime?

A mala in se crime is characterized as being inherently wrong or evil in itself, regardless of the laws prohibiting it. This type of crime typically involves actions that are universally recognized as morally reprehensible and harmful to society, such as murder, rape, or robbery. The understanding of mala in se crimes stems from the idea that certain acts are so inherently wrong that they do not need to be specifically defined by statute to be considered criminal. This contrasts with mala prohibita crimes, which are wrong because they are prohibited by law but may not necessarily be immoral in nature. Thus, the defining feature of a mala in se crime is its intrinsic nature, which makes it universally unacceptable.