Glossary Law
There are 13 names in this directory beginning with the letter M.
Magistrate
A generic term for any judge of a court, or anyone officially performing a judge’s functions.
Magna carta
Latin for “great charter,” it was a document delineating a series of laws establishing the rights of english barons and major landowners and limiting the absolute authority of the king of england. It became the basis for the rights of english citizens.
Malice
A conscious, intentional wrongdoing either of a civil wrong like libel (false written statement about another) or a criminal act like assault or murder, with the intention of doing harm to the victim.
Malum in se
Latin referring to an act that is “wrong in itself,” in its very nature being illegal because it violates the natural, moral or public principles of a civilized society. In criminal law it is one of the collection of crimes which are traditional and not just created by statute, which are “malum prohibitum.”
Malum prohibitum
Latin meaning “wrong due to being prohibited,” which refers to crimes made so by statute, compared to crimes based on english common law and obvious violations of society’s standards which are defined as malum in se.
Memorandum
1) A brief writing, note, summary or outline. 2) A “memorandum of decision,” or “memorandum opinion,” is a brief statement by a judge announcing his/her ruling without detail or giving extensive reasons, which may or may not be followed by a more comprehensive written decision.
Misprision of a felony
The crime of concealing another’s felony (serious crime) from law enforcement officers.
Mitigating circumstances
In criminal law, conditions or happenings which do not excuse or justify criminal conduct, but are considered out of mercy or fairness in deciding the degree of the offense the prosecutor charges or influencing reduction of the penalty upon conviction.
Moratorium
1) Any suspension of activity, particularly voluntary suspension of collections of debts by a private enterprise or by government or pursuant to court order. 2) In bankruptcy, a halt to the right to collect a debt.
Motive
In criminal investigation the probable reason a person committed a crime, such as jealousy, greed, revenge or part of a theft. While evidence of a motive may be admissible at trial, proof of motive is not necessary to prove a crime.
Municipal court
A lower court which usually tries criminal misdemeanors and civil lawsuits involving lesser amounts of money than superior, district or county courts.
