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Simple English definitions for legal terms
actual malice
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A quick definition of actual malice:
Actual malice is when someone intentionally does something wrong without a good reason or excuse, or when they recklessly disregard the law or someone's rights. It can also mean having a bad or wicked heart. In legal cases, actual malice can refer to knowing that something is false or having a reckless disregard for the truth when making a statement that harms someone's reputation. To prove actual malice, a plaintiff must show that the defendant knew the statement was false or had a reckless disregard for the truth.
A more thorough explanation:
Actual malice is a legal term that refers to the deliberate intent to cause harm or injury to someone, without any justification or excuse. It can also refer to reckless disregard for the law or a person's legal rights. This term is often used in cases of defamation, where a person knowingly makes false statements about someone else.
- If a newspaper publishes a false story about a public figure, knowing that it is false, that is considered actual malice.
- If someone intentionally spreads rumors about a coworker to get them fired, that is also considered actual malice.
These examples illustrate how actual malice involves a deliberate intent to cause harm or injury, or a reckless disregard for the truth. In both cases, the person knew that what they were doing was wrong, but did it anyway.