The effect follows the cause.

Explanation

Where a lawful cause produces a result, the result partakes of the character of the cause; where the cause is unlawful, so is the effect.

Where this applies

• A lawful action produced a lawful result and they're claiming it's somehow wrongful.
• Where the cause is unlawful, the effect is also tainted.
• The character of the result follows the character of the cause.

See also

• 12.2.1 The cause of a cause is the cause of the thing caused.
• 12.2.3 In law, the immediate and not the remote cause is looked at.