malice aforethought

Noun
  1. (law) criminal intent;
    The thoughts and intentions behind a wrongful act (including knowledge that the act is illegal);
    Often at issue in murder trials (synset 105803965)
    referred to in: jurisprudence, law - the collection of rules imposed by authority
    is a type of: planning, preparation, provision - the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening
    subtypes: premeditation - (law) thought and intention to commit a crime well in advance of the crime; goes to show criminal intent
    same as: mens rea

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