As complex as these three terms used in criminal law are, the complexity is unlo

cked when these terms are analyzed.A complex crime is committed either when a si
ngle act constitutes two or more grave or less grave felonies; or when an offens
e is a necessary means for committing the other. In both cases, the penalty for
the more serious crime shall be imposed and is to be applied in its maximum peri
od. It has two kinds: compound crime and complex crime proper.
Special complex crime or composite crime is made up of more than one crime, but
which in the eyes of the law warrants a single indivisible offense. They are reg
arded as a special species of complex crime because there is one specific penalt
y imposed. An example of special complex crime is rape with homicide, when the h
omicide is consummated; otherwise they are separate offenses; kidnapping with ho
micide; robbery with arson.
Delito continuado or continued crime or continuous crime exists where there is p
lurality of acts over a period of time; unity of penal provision violated; and u
nity of criminal intent or purpose, which means that two or more violations of t
he same penal provisions are united in one and the same intent or resolution lea
ding to the perpetration of the same criminal purpose or aim. In appearance, a d
elito continuado consists of several crimes but in reality there is only one cri
me on the mind of the perpetrator. To sum up, the following are its requisites:
multiplicity of acts, unity of criminal purpose or intent; and unity of criminal
offense violated. A good example of this is a robbery planned in one residentia
l subdivision where several owners of such subdivision were robbed of their belo
ngings.