malum prohibitum

noun

malum pro·​hib·​i·​tum

-prō-ˈhi-bə-təm

plural mala prohibita

-ˈhi-bə-tə

: 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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, prohibited offense