term:

Malicious Prosecution

malicious prosecution n

: the tort of initiating a criminal prosecution or civil suit against another party with malice and without probable cause
;also
: an action for damages based on this tort brought after termination of the proceedings in favor of the party seeking damages called also malicious use of process; compare abuse of process

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.