The character of a past offense is never aggravated by a subsequent act or matter.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A man's criminal liability is measured at the time of the offense and cannot be increased by anything he does afterward — later misconduct is charged separately.

Where this applies

• A man convicted of simple assault cannot have his sentence increased just because he committed a separate crime months later.
• A shoplifter's original charge stays petty theft even though she was later caught burglarizing a home.
• A driver cited for running a stop sign cannot have that ticket upgraded to reckless driving because he later caused an accident at a different intersection.