M Civ JI 117.01 Malicious Prosecution - Criminal Proceeding

The elements of malicious prosecution are the following:

(a) a prosecution caused or continued by one person against another

(b) termination of the proceeding in favor of the person who was prosecuted

(c) absence of probable cause for initiating or continuing the proceeding

(d) initiating or continuing the proceeding with malice or a primary purpose other than that of bringing the offender to justice

Comment

Matthews v Blue Cross & Blue Shield, 456 Mich 365; 572 NW2d 603 (1998); Drobczyk v Great Lakes Steel Corp, 367 Mich 318; 116 NW2d 736 (1962); Rivers v Ex-Cell-O Corp, 100 Mich App 824; 300 NW2d 420 (1980).

See MCL 600.2907 and Camaj v S S Kresge Co, 426 Mich 281; 393 NW2d 875 (1986), for the availability of treble damages where the underlying action was a “straw-party” suit.

History

M Civ JI 117.01 was added September 1982.