In law enforcement, what is the term for an unlawful act committed against the state or public?

The term that describes an unlawful act committed against the state or public is "crime." A crime involves actions that violate laws established by government authorities, which can result in prosecution and penalties. This encompasses a wide range of behaviors, from minor offenses to serious felonies, all considered detrimental to public order and safety.

Collusion refers to secret agreements between parties to deceive or defraud others, but it does not specifically refer to acts against the state or public. Misdemeanor is a classification of crime that typically encompasses less severe offenses, carrying lighter penalties, but it does not cover the broader category of unlawful acts as crime does. An infraction is usually considered the least serious type of violation, often resulting in fines or penalties without criminal charges, and thus also does not encapsulate the wider implications of unlawful acts against the state or public. Therefore, crime is the most comprehensive term for unlawful acts in the context of law enforcement.