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The FindLaw Legal Dictionary -- free access to over 8260 definitions of legal terms. Search for a definition or browse our legal glossaries.

term:

Malum Prohibitum

malum prohibitum n

pl: mala pro·hib·i·ta [-hi-bə-tə]
[New Latin, prohibited offense]
: an offense prohibited by statute but not inherently evil or wrong [is malum prohibitum and, therefore, does not demand mens rea "Commonwealth v. Guthrie, 616 A.2d 1019 (1992)"] often used with a preceding noun (as crime or act) [acts malum prohibitum] compare malum in se



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

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