Legal Definitions - solvere poenas

Solvere poenas is a historical Latin legal phrase that literally translates to "to pay the penalty." It refers to the act of suffering the consequences or fulfilling the punishment imposed for a wrongdoing, an offense, or a breach of obligation.

Here are some examples illustrating this concept:

• Example 1: Criminal Justice
  After being found guilty of tax evasion, a business executive is sentenced to two years in federal prison and ordered to pay a significant fine. The executive serves the full prison term and remits the fine as mandated by the court.

  Explanation: In this scenario, the executive is "paying the penalty" (solvere poenas) for their crime by enduring incarceration and fulfilling the financial obligation imposed by the legal system.

• Example 2: Contractual Breach
  A software development firm fails to deliver a custom application to a client by the agreed-upon deadline, causing the client to lose a lucrative market opportunity. A court rules that the firm must compensate the client for the financial losses incurred due to the delay.

  Explanation: The software firm is compelled to "pay the penalty" (solvere poenas) for breaching its contract by providing monetary compensation to the client for the damages caused by its failure to perform.

• Example 3: Regulatory Infraction
  A manufacturing company is discovered to have repeatedly violated environmental protection regulations by discharging pollutants into a local river. Government authorities impose a substantial fine and require the company to invest in new, compliant waste treatment facilities.

  Explanation: The company is "paying the penalty" (solvere poenas) for its regulatory infractions through the payment of the fine and the mandatory investment in environmental upgrades, which are the consequences of its non-compliance.