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NeCede's

Maxim 7.8.2

No one should be punished twice for the same offense.

Nemo debet bis puniri pro uno delicto.

Source: 4 Coke, 43; 11 Coke, 59b; Jackson, No. 632; Weisman, 77a; Weisman, 92e Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

Double punishment for a single wrong is itself a wrong — once a man has answered for his crime by the sentence of a competent tribunal, that matter is concluded forever.

Where this applies

  • I was fined for a traffic violation and now they want to suspend my license for the same incident.
  • The government charged me in state court and federal court for the same offense.

Legal domains

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 7.8.2 — No one should be punished twice for the same offense. — 4 Coke, 43; 11 Coke, 59b; Jackson, No. 632; Weisman, 77a; Weisman, 92e (Nemo debet bis puniri pro uno delicto.)

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