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NeCede's

Maxim 7.8.16

Impunity offers a continual bait to a delinquent.

Impunitas continuum affectum tribuit delinquenti.

Source: Bouvier's Law Dictionary; 4 Co. 45 Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

Failure to punish emboldens the wrongdoer to repeat and escalate his offenses — unpunished crime breeds more crime.

Where this applies

  • The shoplifter was never punished, so they escalated to burglary.
  • A corrupt official was never held accountable, so they became bolder and more brazen.

Legal domains

criminal

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 7.8.16 — Impunity offers a continual bait to a delinquent. — Bouvier's Law Dictionary; 4 Co. 45 (Impunitas continuum affectum tribuit delinquenti.)

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