Opinion ID: 877750
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Malice as a Prerequisite

Text: The fourth element necessary in a malicious prosecution action is malice or a primary purpose other than that of bringing an offender to justice. In this case, there was a clear lack of probable cause for criminal proceedings as pointed out in the prior section. Malice can be inferred from want of probable cause. McGuire v. Armitage (1979), Mont., 603 P.2d 253, 255, 36 St.Rep. 2142, 2145. In addition, Miller's testimony indicated that he was aware that one horse had been traded by Jackie Oakes, yet he told the county attorney of Musselshell County that the horse was stolen, fully expecting Watkins to be charged with theft. Sufficient evidence was presented to show malice and to conclude that Miller's intent was not to bring an offender to justice.