Some things are wrong because they are always wrong; other things are wrong only because the law says so.
Acts that are malum in se (literally “wrong in itself”) are so inherently bad that all would agree that they should be punished. Murder and robbery are good examples. Murder is universally condemned across geographic and societal boundaries.
Acts that are malum prohibitum (literally wrong because prohibited) are only punishable because the law says so. Parking in a loading zone is an example. There is nothing inherently wrong with parking in a loading zone; it just violates a published statute. Another way of thinking about this is that if an act can be considered morally wrong it is malum in se. Conduct that is not morally wrong but regulated by the government is malum prohibitum.
– Kevin Palmer
Thanks to Greg Engelbart, our friend and client, who sent us this idea.