What is a key characteristic of external acts in criminal law?

A key characteristic of external acts in criminal law is that they must be visible and observable. This means that external acts refer to the actions or behaviors performed by an individual that can be seen or witnessed, serving as evidence of intent and culpability. In criminal cases, these observable actions are crucial for establishing that a crime has taken place, as they represent the physical manifestation of an individual's thoughts or intentions.

The visibility and observability of these acts allow law enforcement, prosecutors, and the courts to assess and interpret an individual's behavior in the context of criminal liability. This characteristic aligns with the legal principle that an act must be performed for an individual to be held criminally responsible, as mere thoughts or unexecuted plans do not constitute a crime.

In contrast, characteristics such as subjective interpretation, irrelevance to the crime, or purely theoretical concepts do not accurately reflect the tangible nature of external acts. Instead, the focus is on the demonstrable actions that can be scrutinized under the law, reinforcing the importance of observable conduct in the adjudication of criminal cases.