Legal Definitions - malum

Malum is a Latin term used in legal contexts to describe something that is inherently wrong, bad, or evil.

It refers to actions that are considered morally objectionable or harmful in themselves, regardless of whether a specific law has been enacted to prohibit them. These are acts that most people would recognize as wrong simply because of their nature.

• Example 1: Intentional Assault

  If an individual intentionally attacks another person without justification, causing physical harm, this act would be considered malum.

  This illustrates the term because causing unprovoked physical injury is universally recognized as an inherently bad and harmful action, violating fundamental societal expectations of safety and respect.

• Example 2: Fraudulent Deception

  When someone knowingly provides false information to deceive another person into giving them money or property, such as a scam artist defrauding an elderly person of their life savings, this constitutes malum.

  This example demonstrates malum because the act of intentional deception and exploitation for personal gain is widely regarded as morally wrong and harmful, regardless of specific statutes against fraud.

• Example 3: Malicious Vandalism

  A person who deliberately defaces or destroys public or private property out of spite or malice, such as spray-painting hateful symbols on a community center, is committing an act that is malum.

  This illustrates the term because the willful and malicious destruction or defacement of property is seen as an inherently bad act that causes harm, disrespects community values, and is morally objectionable.