Legal Definitions - instantaneous crime

An instantaneous crime refers to a criminal offense that is considered complete at the precise moment it is committed, rather than continuing over a period of time. The illegal act and its completion occur simultaneously, without any ongoing duration.

• Example 1: Shoplifting

  Imagine a person walks into a grocery store, places a candy bar into their pocket without paying, and then walks out. The crime of theft (specifically, shoplifting in this context) is considered instantaneous. It is complete the moment the individual takes possession of the candy bar with the intent to permanently deprive the store of it. The act of taking and the intent to steal coincide to complete the offense at that specific point in time, even if the person continues to possess the candy bar afterward.

• Example 2: Assault and Battery

  Consider a situation where, during a heated argument, one person suddenly punches another in the face. The crime of assault and battery is an instantaneous crime. It is completed the very moment the physical contact (the punch) is made with the intent to cause harm or offensive contact. The offense does not continue once the punch has landed; it is a singular, completed act at that precise instant.

• Example 3: Defacing Property

  Suppose an individual uses spray paint to write their name on a public monument. The act of defacing property (a form of vandalism) is an instantaneous crime. The offense is complete the moment the paint is applied and the damage or alteration to the property occurs. While the graffiti itself may remain visible for a long time, the criminal act of inflicting that damage is finished at the point of application.