elkövetés

elkövetés is a Hungarian legal term that translates to "commission" or "perpetration" in English. It refers to the act of committing a crime. In Hungarian criminal law, elkövetés signifies the objective element of a criminal offense, meaning the physical act or omission that constitutes the crime.

The concept of elkövetés is central to establishing criminal liability. For a person to be held responsible for a crime, it must be proven that they actively committed or failed to act when legally obligated to do so, resulting in the prohibited outcome. This act must be voluntary and intentional or, in cases of negligence, at least reckless. The perpetrator's actions are examined to determine if they align with the definition of a specific criminal offense as outlined in the Hungarian Penal Code.

Distinguishing between elkövetés and other phases of criminal activity, such as preparation or attempted commission, is crucial. Preparation involves taking steps that are preparatory to committing a crime but do not yet constitute the commission itself. Attempted commission, on the other hand, occurs when the perpetrator has begun the execution of the crime but fails to bring it to completion for reasons beyond their control. Elkövetés marks the point where the crime is fully or partially realized through the offender's direct actions or omissions.