Maxim 7.8.11
Punishment ought not to precede the crime.
Poena non debet antecedere crimen.
Source: Halk. Max. 126; Weisman, 92cc
Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational
Explanation
No person may be subjected to punitive measures in anticipation of wrongdoing — the law punishes what has been done, never what might be done.
Where this applies
- The government placed me on a watchlist before I did anything wrong.
- A person was put under house arrest based on what they might do in the future.
Topics
Legal domains
See also
Cite this maxim
NeCede Max. 7.8.11 — Punishment ought not to precede the crime. — Halk. Max. 126; Weisman, 92cc (Poena non debet antecedere crimen.)
Found an error? Suggest a correction →