State Laws
What is an ex post facto law?
Wiki User
2017-01-25 12:42:35
An ex post facto law is one that is made retroactive to punish
an act that wasn't illegal at the time it was committed. For
example, if I didn't wear my seatbelt and wearing one wasn't a law,
but it became a law the next day, I couldn't get in trouble for it
because the "crime" was committed before it was against the
law.
Article I of the US Constitution specifically says this cannot
be done. Laws that don't involve penalties can reference dates in
the past to allow an income tax break or permit eligibility for a
program based on past actions (such as fighting in a war).
The reason the Constitution prevents Congress (and the states)
from writing ex post facto laws is to protect the population and
other entities from government abuse.
Related Questions
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What kind of law is forbidden in the Constitution?
ex post facto law. ex post facto law.
Asked in Law & Legal Issues, US Constitution, Research Papers
What does the term 'Ex post facto law' mean?
Ex post facto law is a law that punished for a past offense.
Asked in US Constitution
What exactly is an ex post facto law?
An ex post facto law is a law that retrospectively changes the
legal consequences of actions that were committed. An ex post facto
law is one that is made retroactive to punish an act that wasn't
illegal at the time it was committed.
Asked in US Constitution
In reference to ex post facto law is it considred to be ex post facto if more severe penalities are added to the crime?
Yes, an ex post facto law cannot impose punishment on a person
who committed an act before it was illegal. This includes
increasing the severity of the punishment from what it was when the
crime was committed. Ex post facto applies to criminal law and not
civil law as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Also, some
laws, for example the sex offenders registry, are considered a
regulatory device for public safety and not a punitive action.
no ex-post facto law after the fact. no ex-post facto law after
the fact.
Asked in Law & Legal Issues, US Constitution, US Congress
Define ex post facto law?
Ex post facto is a Latin term meaning "after the fact." Ex-Post
Facto Law is a law that retroactively changes the legal
consequences of acts committed, or the legal status of facts and
relationships that existed, prior to the enactment of the law.
In the U.S ex-post facto criminal laws are prohibited under the
Constitution. Article I, section 10.
Asked in US Constitution
What type of law is the ex post facto law?
An ex post facto law is a law which is retroactive. This type of
law allows for criminal punishments for previous deeds which were
considered legal at the time. It may also alter the punishment of a
crime. Within the United States, each state is prohibited from
passing ex post facto laws, however the Federal branch of the
government is allowed to enact an ex post facto law.
Asked in US Constitution, Law & Legal Issues, US Congress
Can congress pass an ex post facto law if both houses favor it by two thirds majority?
The Constitution prohibits any ex post facto law from being
enacted.
Article One states:
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
Asked in Word and Phrase Origins
Ex de facto?
The Ex Post Facto law is a law that can go backward and change
the legal consequences. In Latin, it means "after the facts."
Asked in Statutes of Limitations, Criminal Law
What is the name of law that makes something a crime after the fact?
Ex Post Facto law
"Congress shall pass no Ex Post Facto law", I believe is how it
appears in the constitution. It is latin for after the fact.
Asked in Law & Legal Issues, Criminal Law, US Constitution
True or false Law prohibiting ex post facto legislation does not apply to criminal law only to civil law?
False.
(in the US) Ex Post Facto laws are unconstitutional, PERIOD!
Asked in Law & Legal Issues, US Constitution, Police and Law Enforcement
Who is punished for something that was not illegal when it was done?
The legal term for a law that has criminal penalties that effect
people prior to the enactment of that law is called an "ex-post
facto law". Ex-post facto laws are illegal in most countries and
the US Constitution expressly forbids the creation or passage of an
ex-post facto law.
Asked in US Constitution, Philippines
Ex post facto laws are prohibited by the Philippines?
none.
Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be
enacted.
Asked in Law & Legal Issues
What law to punish a man for something that was not against the law when he did it is called?
An ex post facto law. Ex post facto laws are forbidden by the US
Constitution, Article I, Section 9, Clause 3.
Asked in US Constitution
Where are the ex post facto laws discussed and what does it say?
Article 1, Section 9 "No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto law
shall be passed."
Asked in Law & Legal Issues, US Constitution
Im doing a case in school and how will do you know if Ex Post Facto Law applys?
(in the US) Ex Post Facto laws are forbidden by the US
Constitution.
Asked in US Constitution
What did the constitution say about ex post facto laws?
The constitution says that a person may not be charged for a
crime under an ex post facto law. An ex post facto law is a law
that was created after the supposed crime was committed. The US
Constitution ruled that someone cannot be tried for breaking a law
that wasn't created yet. Makes sense, right?
Asked in Law & Legal Issues
What is an example of an Ex Post Facto Law?
expost facto law is a law that apply to person who who violated
a crime against such law that was not enacted yet.
Asked in Criminal Law, US Constitution, Crime
What law that punishes people for a crime that they committed when it wasn't a crime?
Ex post facto law
Make an act punishable as a crime when such an act was not an
offense when committed.
http://www.answers.com/topic/ex-post-facto-law
Asked in US Constitution
Which is an ex post facto law?
A law that applies to a crime committed before the law was
passed
Asked in English to Latin
What is the Latin phrase for retrospective action?
ex post facto ex post facto
Asked in US Constitution
Does the US Constitution allow ex post facto laws?
No. Article 1, Section 9 states: "No bill of attainder or
ex-post facto Law shall be passed."
Asked in US Constitution
Which level of government has the power to pass ex post facto laws?
Assuming this is about the united states, to pass an ex post
facto law is no kind of power, it is prohibited by the
constitution.
Asked in Business Law
What is the criminal law applied to an act committed before passage of the law?
Ex post facto law
Asked in Criminal Law, US Constitution, Crime
A law which makes an act a crime after it has been done?
Such a law is called Ex Post Facto.
Asked in US Constitution
Why is ex post facto law forbidden?
It is unfair to the people who get in trouble for doing it
before it was a law.