malum pro·hib·i·tum
| \ -prō-ˈhi-bə-təm \
plural mala prohibita\
-ˈhi-bə-tə
\
Legal Definition of malum prohibitum
: 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
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Cite this Entry
“Malum prohibitum.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/malum%20prohibitum. Accessed 28 Nov. 2021.
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