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NeCede's

Maxim 7.8.25

The estimation of a crime committed never increases from a subsequent fact.

Aestimatio praeteriti delicti ex postremo facto nunquam crescit.

Source: Bouvier's Law Dictionary; Bac. Max. Reg. 8 Difficulty 2/5 — Approachable

Explanation

A past offense cannot be retroactively aggravated by later events — the gravity of a crime is fixed at the time of its commission.

Where this applies

  • I committed a misdemeanor last year — a new law can't retroactively upgrade it to a felony.
  • A past crime's severity is fixed at the time it was committed — later events can't make it worse.

Legal domains

constitutionalcriminal

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 7.8.25 — The estimation of a crime committed never increases from a subsequent fact. — Bouvier's Law Dictionary; Bac. Max. Reg. 8 (Aestimatio praeteriti delicti ex postremo facto nunquam crescit.)

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