The 'Lectric Law Library's Lexicon On
* Malum In Se *

MALUM IN SE - Evil in itself.

An offence malum in se is one which is naturally evil, as murder, theft, and the like; offences at common law are generally mala in sese.

An offence malum prohibitum, on the contrary, is not naturally an evil, but becomes so in consequence of its being forbidden; as playing at games, which being innocent before, have become unlawful in consequence of being forbidden.
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