Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: forisfactus servus
Definition: Forisfactus servus is a term used in Law Latin to describe a person who was once a slave but has been granted freedom, but then commits a crime and loses their freedom again.
Forisfactus servus
A forisfactus servus is a former slave who has lost their freedom because they committed a crime.
If a slave was freed but then committed a crime, they could become a forisfactus servus and lose their freedom again. This was a common punishment in ancient Rome.
For example, if a freed slave stole something, they could be punished by becoming a forisfactus servus and being sold back into slavery.
Another example is if a freed slave was caught running away, they could also become a forisfactus servus and lose their freedom.
These examples show how a forisfactus servus was a way to punish former slaves who broke the law and ensure they did not have the same rights as free citizens.