Generally speaking, claims for malicious prosecution are disfavored in California, except under appropriate circumstances. These claims can have a 'chilling effect' on legitimate lawsuits by people who have honestly been injured by others. Because of this, the law and California courts look strictly at cases to determine whether a cause of action for malicious prosecution is valid. Just because California does not 'favor' these lawsuits does not mean that a truly wronged person is out of luck. When the right case exists, the law strictly protects the injured party because not only is a frivolous case harmful to the injured person, but it is also harmful to the administration of justice and the American system of law.