malum in se; inherently wrongful act
Legal term for acts considered wrong by their very nature, regardless of statute. Contrasts with 法定犯 (malum prohibitum).
See also: 法定犯
Murder is a typical example of malum in se.
The distinction between malum in se and malum prohibitum is important in criminal law theory.
Compound of 自然 (natural, inherent) and 犯 (crime, offense). The term is a direct translation of the Latin legal phrase 'malum in se'.