Legal Definitions - legal malice

Legal malice is the intent to commit a wrongful act without any justification or excuse. It can also refer to reckless disregard of the law or a person's legal rights. In non-legal contexts, malice can also mean ill will or wickedness of heart.

• If someone intentionally harms another person without any valid reason, it can be considered legal malice.
• In a defamation case, if the person who made the defamatory statement knew it was false or showed reckless disregard for the truth, it can be considered actual malice.
• If someone throws a stone at a window but ends up breaking a different window, it can be considered transferred malice.

These examples illustrate how legal malice can be intentional or reckless behavior that causes harm to another person or property. It can also refer to a person's state of mind when they have a wrongful intent or disregard for the law or someone's rights.