• 2006 - Malicious Prosecution (Elements)
  • C-13.00
    • Malicious Prosecution
    • Tort Liability
    • Tort Liability

  • To prevail on a claim for malicious prosecution, [Plaintiff] must prove by the greater weight of evidence:

     

    1) Institution of a [criminal] [civil] proceeding by [or at the instance of] [Defendant] against [Plaintiff];

     

    2) Termination of the [criminal] [civil] proceeding in favor of [Plaintiff];

     

    3) Absence of probable cause for the [criminal] [civil] proceeding;

     

    4) Malice; and

     

    5) Damages proximately caused by the institution of the proceedings.

    * * * * *

    • 12.1-08-01
    • 12-01-04
    • Farmers Elevator Co. v. David, 234 NW2d 26, 33-34 (ND 1975)
    • Kummer v. City of Fargo, 516 NW2d 294, 298 (ND 199
    • Larson v. Baer, 418 NW2d 282, 285-86 (ND 1988)
    • Richmond v. Haney, 480 NW2d 751, 755 (ND 1992)
    • Schleicher v. W. State Bank, 314 NW2d 293 (ND 1982)
    • State v. Roth, 380 NW2d 325 (ND 1986)
  • Notes: For a definition of "malice," see NDJI C - 2.30. See also, Richmond, 480 NW2d at 755 (ND 1992) (stating malice is a primary purpose other than that of bringing an offender to justice, and that in some situations may require more than a lack of probable cause).