Malicious Prosecution
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary · Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
A judicial proceeding instituted without probable cause (97 U. S. 642; 59 Ind. 500), and with malicious intent (7 111. App. 181; 30 N. Y. 625). While malice may be inferred by the jury from absence of probable cause, the presence of malice in fact is essential.
44 Gal. 144.
At common law, the malicious prosecution of a civil action was actionable (Co. Litt. 161), but in most of the states only the malicious institution of a criminal proceeding is the subject of an action. (4 N. J. Law, 330). MALITIA (Lat.) Malice.
4 Bl. Comm. 199.
MALITIA EST ACIDA; EST MALI ANIml affectus. Malice is sour; it is the quality of a bad mind.
2 Bulst. 49,