Opinion ID: 1301253
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Summary Judgment on Malicious Prosecution

Text: Appellants argue the trial court erred in granting Respondent's motion for summary judgment on the malicious prosecution claims. [2] We disagree. [T]o maintain an action for malicious prosecution, a plaintiff must establish: (1) the institution or continuation of original judicial proceedings; (2) by or at the instance of the defendant; (3) termination of such proceedings in plaintiff's favor; (4) malice in instituting such proceedings; (5) lack of probable cause; and (6) resulting injury or damage. Parrott v. Plowden Motor Co., 246 S.C. 318, 321, 143 S.E.2d 607, 608 (1965); Eaves v. Broad River Elec. Co-op., Inc., 277 S.C. 475, 477, 289 S.E.2d 414, 415 (1982). An action for malicious prosecution fails if the plaintiff cannot prove each of the required elements by a preponderance of the evidence, including malice and lack of probable cause. Parrott, 246 S.C. at 322, 143 S.E.2d at 609. Respondent admitted to the institution of original judicial proceedings by its instance, elements 1 and 2, but contends Appellants did not prove the remaining elements of malicious prosecution. Appellants contend the trial judged erred in finding the original proceedings had not been sufficiently terminated in their favor. Appellants argue that the criminal proceedings were terminated in their favor because the charges were nolle prossed, Respondent has not commenced a federal action, lapse of time, and lack of tangible evidence of the alleged crimes. First, Appellants failed to establish a favorable determination of their prior criminal charges. In McKenney v. Jack Eckerd Co., 304 S.C. 21, 22, 402 S.E.2d 887, 888 (1991), the Court held where an accused establishes that charges were nolle prossed for reasons which imply or are consistent with innocence, an action for malicious prosecution may be maintained. On the underlying charges in the present cases, the reason stated for the nolle prosse was that the arresting agency had chosen to pursue the charges in federal court. This reasoning does not imply and is not consistent with Appellants' innocence. Second, an essential element of malicious prosecution is the institution of judicial proceedings without probable cause against the plaintiff. Kinton v. Mobile Home Indus., Inc., 274 S.C. 179, 262 S.E.2d 727 (1980). The burden is on the plaintiff to show that the prosecuting person or entity lacked probable cause to pursue a criminal or civil action against him. Parrott, 246 S.C. at 322, 143 S.E.2d at 609. Probable cause means the extent of such facts and circumstances as would excite the belief in a reasonable mind acting on the facts within the knowledge of the prosecutor that the person charged was guilty of a crime for which he has been charged, and only those facts and circumstances which were or should have been known to the prosecutor at the time he instituted the prosecution should be considered. Id. In determining the existence of probable cause, the facts must be regarded from the point of view of the party prosecuting; the question is not what the actual facts were, but what he honestly believed them to be. Eaves, 277 S.C. at 478, 289 S.E.2d at 415-16 (citing 54 C.J.S. Malicious Prosecution § 20, p. 977). South Carolina has long embraced the rule that a true bill of indictment is prima facie evidence of probable cause in an action for malicious prosecution. Kinton, 274 S.C. at 182, 262 S.E.2d at 728. Although the question of whether probable cause exists is ordinarily a jury question, it may be decided as a matter of law when the evidence yields but one conclusion. Parrott, 246 S.C. at 323, 143 S.E.2d at 609. Appellants were indicted by the Allendale County Grand Jury in September 1999. Prior to the arrests on March 25, 1999, Nettles and Baker interviewed Harrison at least three times and interviewed several other inmates who corroborated Harrison's allegations. Nettles and Baker also searched bank records of Mole and Vaughan which revealed numerous, large cash deposits and wire transfers during the months prior to the investigation. Viewing the record in the light most favorable to Appellants, Appellants failed to establish a lack of probable cause because the indictments are prima facie evidence of probable cause and because the facts support a finding that Respondent had probable cause to pursue criminal charges. Third, Appellants did not establish Respondent's malice in instituting the original proceedings. Malice is defined as the deliberate intentional doing of an act without just cause or excuse. Eaves, 277 S.C. at 479, 289 S.E.2d at 416. Malice does not necessarily mean a defendant acted out of spite, revenge, or with a malignant disposition, although such an attitude certainly may indicate malice. Malice also may proceed from an ill-regulated mind which is not sufficiently cautious before causing injury to another person. Moreover, malice may be implied where the evidence reveals a disregard of the consequences of an injurious act, without reference to any special injury that may be inflicted on another person. Malice also may be implied in the doing of an illegal act for one's own gratification or purpose without regard to the rights of others or the injury which may be inflicted on another person. In an action for malicious prosecution, malice may be inferred from a lack of probable cause to institute the prosecution. Margolis v. Telech, 239 S.C. 232, 122 S.E.2d 417, 420 (1961). The record reveals Respondent conducted an internal investigation based upon an inmate's allegations that Appellants were trafficking drugs in the Institution. The two primary investigators interviewed Harrison and at least four other inmates prior to the arrests and interviewed no less than 38 inmates at the Institution during the entire investigation. Before completing the investigation, Nettles and Baker discussed the evidence with Waters who thought that arrests should be made based on historical conspiracy. The institution of the original proceedings against Appellants was the result of a thorough investigation, and Appellants failed to establish malice. We conclude the trial judge properly granted summary judgment for Respondent because Appellants failed to establish termination of the original proceedings in their favor, lack of probable cause, and malice, all elements of malicious prosecution.