Which term best describes crimes that are universally considered wrong?

The term "mala in se" refers to acts that are inherently wrong or immoral, regardless of whether they are prohibited by law. These are offenses that are universally condemned, such as murder, rape, and theft. The concept of mala in se encompasses behaviors that are considered wrong by their very nature, rather than those that are deemed illegal only because they are defined by statute.

In contrast, misdemeanors and felonies describe classifications of crimes based on their severity, with misdemeanors being less serious offenses and felonies being more serious. Statutory crimes, on the other hand, refer to offenses defined specifically by law—these acts might not be considered wrong in themselves (like certain regulatory offenses), but they are criminalized through legislative action. Thus, mala in se captures a fundamental aspect of moral wrongdoing that transcends legal definitions, making it the most accurate term for crimes that are universally recognized as wrong.