Oklahoma Malicious Prosecution—Criminal Action—Elements of Liability is a legal cause of action in which a plaintiff may seek damages from a defendant for initiating criminal proceedings against the plaintiff without probable cause. The elements of liability for this tort in Oklahoma require that: 1. The defendant initiated criminal proceedings against the plaintiff; 2. The proceedings were terminated in favor of the plaintiff; 3. The defendant acted with malice; 4. The defendant lacked probable cause for initiating the proceedings; 5. The plaintiff suffered damages; and 6. The defendant's actions were a proximate cause of the plaintiff's damages. In Oklahoma, there are two types of malicious prosecution action that may be brought: criminal and civil. The elements of liability for both are the same, with the exception that in a criminal action the plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s actions were willful and malicious.