Malicious Prosecution
/məˈlɪʃəs prəˈsekjuːʃən/
Definitions
- (n.) A wrongful legal action initiated without probable cause and with malice, resulting in damage to the defendant.
The plaintiff sued for malicious prosecution after the baseless criminal charges were dismissed.
Forms
- malicious prosecutions
Related terms
See also
Commentary
Malicious prosecution claims require proof of both malice and lack of probable cause, distinguishing them from abuse of process.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.