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Simple English definitions for legal terms

ex post facto law

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A quick definition of ex post facto law:

An ex post facto law is a law that is applied retroactively, meaning it affects actions that were legal when they were committed. This type of law is not allowed in criminal cases according to the U.S. Constitution. However, it may be allowed in civil cases. A retroactive law is a legislative act that looks back at the past and affects acts or facts that existed before the law came into effect. It is only unconstitutional if it impairs the obligation of contracts, divests vested rights, or is constitutionally forbidden.

A more thorough explanation:

An ex post facto law is a law that retroactively applies to an action that was legal when it was committed, especially if it negatively affects a person's rights. For example, if a law is passed today that makes it illegal to drive a red car, and someone who drove a red car yesterday is punished for it, that would be an ex post facto law.

Ex post facto criminal laws are prohibited by the U.S. Constitution, but retrospective civil laws may be allowed. A retrospective law is a legislative act that looks backward or contemplates the past, affecting acts or facts that existed before the act came into effect. A retroactive law is not unconstitutional unless it (1) is in the nature of an ex post facto law or a bill of attainder, (2) impairs the obligation of contracts, (3) divests vested rights, or (4) is constitutionally forbidden.

For example, if a law is passed that changes the tax rate for the previous year, that would be a retrospective law, but it would not be an ex post facto law because it does not criminalize an action that was legal when it was committed.

Ex Post Facto Clause | exposure

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Dkk
19:42
SEO is big money
2016 pushed the conservative party into populism irreversibly
Dkk
19:43
Maybe, but if this is populism, then every election is populist.
19:43
@Dkk: yeah register 1 website and every swinging tom dick and harry calls/emails/texts to 'help with seo'. like bruh, if YOU found it, what i am doing is working
Dkk
19:43
Indeed!
19:48
wasp, i think people are hopeful for a gov who at least attempts to care about the common man
MIAMI A
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:55
How does one know if they are UR1 or UR2?
[] AromaticTroubledDormouse
20:56
CONGRATS MACAQUE!
TY
got a random stanford email and almost had a heart attack
ALSO CONGRATS!
Congrats1!
21:15
Miami A, yall I'm so excited I could cry.
21:15
Feel like I can finally stop holding my breath!! Whew!!!
[] baddestbunny
22:16
every time I get accosted by a strange man who follows me around because my male coworkers were too busy talking to walk me back to my car I get closer to saying we need to bring back traditional gender roles
Dkk
22:32
Nice! @Macaque
Dkk
22:32
@Aromatic, Have to guess.
Dkk
22:33
That sucks @Bunny do you have to go to the hospital?
[] baddestbunny
22:40
I said accosted not assaulted
23:35
guys. my notre dame address just went long is this good or bad
1a2b3c4d26z
23:37
Oooooo me too
23:37
omg is this good or bad
Dkk
23:47
Idk if gender roles are gunna fix that then.
23:49
it looks like most people who applied in october last cycle didn't get a decision until january... does it even mean anything that our addresses went long??
hows ED 2 compared to ED 1?
Dkk
0:10
No idea
windyMagician
0:34
reporting live to say my ndls address also went long
does it mean anything ^
Dkk
2:21
NDLS and Fordham took a very long time last year. It's good info for people to know.
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