Magistrate: Public officials, including judicial officers who have limited jurisdiction in criminal cases and civil causes.

Mail Fraud: The use of the mail system to commit a fraud.

Malice: The state of mind that accompanies the intentional doing of a wrongful act without justification and in wanton or willful disregard of the plain likelihood that harm will result.

Malice Aforethought: Planning to commit an unlawful act without cause or excuse.

Manslaughter: Unlawful killing of another without malice aforethought. Voluntary Manslaughter: Intentional killing committed under circumstance that, although they do not justify the homicide, reduce evil intent. A charge of manslaughter is appropriate where the defendant killed the victim in rage, terror or desperation. Voluntary Manslaughter is homicide that is committed during an act in the heat of passion. Involuntary Manslaughter consists of a homicide resulting from criminal negligence or recklessness. Voluntary Manslaughter is homicide that is committed during an act in the heat of passion.

Mayhem: The intentional infliction of injury on another, which causes amputation, disfigurement or impairs the function of any part of the body.

Merged: Judgment is merged into another related charge/judgment.

Misdemeanor: A crime that is less serious than a felony and is usually punishable by fine, penalty, forfeiture, or confinement (usually for a brief term) in a place other than prison (such as a county or city jail).

Mistrial: A trial, which is terminated or declared invalid. Reasons for a mistrial include misconduct on the part of the jury, defense team or the court, or illness on the part of the judge, jury, or defendant. May be followed by a retrial on the same charges.

Municipal Court: City court that administers the law within the city. These courts generally have exclusive jurisdiction over violations of city ordinances, and may also have jurisdiction over criminal cases arising within the city and over certain minor civil cases. They are thus inferior courts of limited jurisdiction.

Murder: Unlawful killing of another human being with premeditated intent or malice aforethought. First Degree Murder is unlawful killing of another that is deliberate and premeditated. Second Degree Murder is unlawful killing of another with malice aforethought but without deliberation and premeditation.