Legal Definitions - malicious accusation

Definition: A false accusation made against someone with the intention of causing harm or damage, and without any evidence to support it.

A malicious accusation can be a formal charge of criminal wrongdoing or an informal statement that someone has engaged in an illegal or immoral act. It is made with an improper purpose and without probable cause.

For example, if someone accuses their coworker of stealing from the company without any evidence, and with the intention of getting them fired, it would be considered a malicious accusation.

Another example would be if someone accuses their ex-partner of abuse in order to gain an advantage in a custody battle, even though there is no evidence to support the claim.

These examples illustrate how a malicious accusation can cause harm to someone's reputation and livelihood, and can have serious consequences for the accused.