Legal Definitions - versans in illicito

Versans in illicito is a historical legal phrase from Latin that literally means "engaged in an unlawful act." It refers to a person who was involved in an illegal occupation or activity. This term was often used in older legal contexts to describe someone whose primary business or ongoing conduct was against the law.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Example 1: Operating an Illegal Enterprise

  Imagine a person who establishes a secret facility dedicated to manufacturing counterfeit luxury goods, such as fake designer handbags or watches, which they then sell for profit. Their entire business model revolves around this illegal production and distribution.

  This individual would be considered versans in illicito because their primary occupation—the creation and sale of counterfeit items—is fundamentally unlawful. They are engaged in an activity that is entirely against intellectual property laws and consumer protection regulations.

• Example 2: Engaging in Prohibited Services

  Consider a historical scenario where a person ran an unlicensed gambling house in a jurisdiction where all forms of gambling were strictly prohibited. They operated this establishment as their main source of income, facilitating illegal betting activities for patrons.

  This person would be versans in illicito because their "occupation" of running a gambling house was conducted entirely outside the bounds of the law, making it an unlawful enterprise. Their ongoing service was a direct violation of legal statutes.

• Example 3: Involvement in Organized Crime

  Think of a figure who is a key member of a criminal organization, whose daily activities and responsibilities involve orchestrating various illegal schemes, such as drug trafficking, extortion, or large-scale fraud. Their "work" is solely within the realm of illicit operations.

  This individual is versans in illicito because their entire professional existence, their "occupation," is built upon and dedicated to unlawful acts. They are engaged in a continuous pattern of illegal conduct as their primary activity within the criminal syndicate.