What distinguishes malice from negligence in criminal law?

Malice is characterized by a conscious intent to bring about harm or commit an unlawful act, which is fundamentally different from negligence. In criminal law, malice entails a deliberate or reckless disregard for human life or an intention to cause injury, which is a critical component of many serious crimes such as murder.

Negligence, on the other hand, does not involve intent to cause harm. Instead, it arises from a failure to exercise reasonable care, leading to unintended consequences that result in harm to another person. This lack of intent differentiates it from malice. While negligence can indeed result in serious injuries or fatalities, it does so through carelessness rather than intentional wrongdoing.

Overall, the key distinction lies in the requirement for an intention to cause harm, which is the cornerstone of malice, whereas negligence focuses on a breach of duty that results in accidental harm.