legal malice

legal malice
Such consists of either an express intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm, or of a wickedness of disposition, hardness of heart, cruelty, recklessness of consequences and a mind regardless of social duty which indicates an unjustified disregard for the likelihood of death or great bodily harm and an extreme indifference to the value of human life. Cmwlth. v. Coleman, 455 Pa. 508, 318 A.2d 716, 717.
An expression used as the equivalent of "constructive malice," or "malice in law." Inference of malice which can be reasonably drawn from wrongful act. Chrisman v. Terminal R. Ass'n of St. Louis, 237 Mo.App. 181, 157 S.W.2d 230, 235.
Intentional doing of a wrongful act without just cause. For purposes of determining punitive damages, standard for "legal malice" is that there be wrongful act intentionally committed and without just cause or excuse. Labrier v. Anheuser Ford, Inc., Mo., 621 S.W.2d 51, 58.
See also malice
- malice in law.

Black's law dictionary. . 1990.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • legal malice — n: implied malice at malice Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996 …   Law dictionary

  • legal malice — Such consists of either an express intent to kill or inflict great bodily harm, or of a wickedness of disposition, hardness of heart, cruelty, recklessness of consequences and a mind regardless of social duty which indicates an unjustified… …   Black's law dictionary

  • legal malice — See malice in law …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • malice — mal·ice / ma ləs/ n 1 a: the intention or desire to cause harm (as death, bodily injury, or property damage) to another through an unlawful or wrongful act without justification or excuse b: wanton disregard for the rights of others or for the… …   Law dictionary

  • malice — The intentional doing of a wrongful act without just cause or excuse, with an intent to inflict an injury or under circumstances that the law will imply an evil intent. A condition of mind which prompts a person to do a wrongful act willfully,… …   Black's law dictionary

  • malice — The intentional doing of a wrongful act without just cause or excuse, with an intent to inflict an injury or under circumstances that the law will imply an evil intent. A condition of mind which prompts a person to do a wrongful act willfully,… …   Black's law dictionary

  • malice — A state of mind, being ill will, hatred, or hostility entertained by one person toward another. 34 Am J1st Mal § 2. More precisely, that state of mind which prompts the intentional doing of a wrongful act without legal justification or excuse.… …   Ballentine's law dictionary

  • legal — 1. Conforming to the law; according to law; required or permitted by law; not forbidden or discountenanced by law; good and effectual in law; of or pertaining to the law; lawful. Freeman v. Fowler Packing Co., 135 Kan. 378, 11 P.2d 276, 277. See… …   Black's law dictionary

  • legal — 1. Conforming to the law; according to law; required or permitted by law; not forbidden or discountenanced by law; good and effectual in law; of or pertaining to the law; lawful. Freeman v. Fowler Packing Co., 135 Kan. 378, 11 P.2d 276, 277. See… …   Black's law dictionary

  • malice aforethought — see malice Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. malice aforethought …   Law dictionary

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