Legal Definitions - malice

Definition: Malice is a legal term that refers to the intention to commit an unlawful act without any justification or excuse.

Example 1: A person who sets fire to a building with the intention of causing harm or destruction is acting with malice.

Example 2: If someone intentionally spreads false rumors about a person with the intention of causing harm to their reputation, they are acting with malice.

These examples illustrate the definition of malice because in both cases, the individuals had the intention to commit an unlawful act without any justification or excuse. In the first example, setting fire to a building is illegal and can cause harm to people and property. In the second example, spreading false rumors can harm a person's reputation and cause emotional distress. In both cases, the individuals acted with malice because they had the intention to cause harm without any valid reason.