malum in se
noun
mal·um in se
ˈma-ləm-in-ˈsē, ˈmä-lu̇m-in-ˈsā
plural mala in se
ˈma-lə-, ˈmä-
: an offense that is evil or wrong from its own nature irrespective of statute
—often used with a preceding noun (as crime or act)
held that burglary was a crime malum in se—
State v. Stiffler, 788 P.2d 2205 (1990)
compare malum prohibitum
State v. Stiffler, 788 P.2d 2205 (1990)Cite this Entry
“Malum in se.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/malum%20in%20se. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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