Legal Definitions - cumulatio criminum

Cumulatio criminum is a Latin legal term that historically referred to the practice of charging an individual with multiple crimes, often arising from the same incident or a related series of events. In essence, it describes the accumulation of several distinct criminal offenses against one person within a single legal proceeding, such as an indictment or formal accusation.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Robbery and Assault

  Imagine a scenario where an individual enters a convenience store, threatens the cashier with a weapon, takes money from the register, and then shoves a customer who attempts to intervene before fleeing. In this single incident, the person could be charged with both armed robbery (for taking money by force or threat) and assault (for physically harming the customer). This demonstrates cumulatio criminum because multiple distinct criminal charges are brought against the individual based on actions taken during one continuous event.

• Example 2: Burglary and Vandalism

  Consider a situation where someone unlawfully breaks into a vacant commercial building (the act of burglary). While inside, they intentionally spray paint graffiti on the walls and smash several windows. The individual could then be charged with both burglary (for the unlawful entry with intent to commit a crime) and vandalism or destruction of property (for damaging the building's interior and windows). These two separate offenses, though occurring within the same timeframe and location, are accumulated as charges against the person.

• Example 3: Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Endangerment

  Suppose a driver operates a vehicle while significantly impaired by alcohol, swerving erratically across multiple lanes of traffic, nearly causing several collisions with other cars. This driver could face charges for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) due to their impairment, and additionally, for reckless endangerment because their dangerous driving behavior put other motorists' lives at significant risk. Both charges stem from the same driving incident but represent different aspects of the illegal conduct, illustrating the accumulation of crimes.