What is a law which punishes one for act which was not a crime at the time they did it?
456455
A law that punsishes someone for an act that was not a crime at the time is an ex post facto law. \nhttp://www.law.cornell.edu/lexicon/ex_post_facto.htm\n\nThe court order to tell someone why he is being held or release him/her is a writ of habeas corpus, aka, the "great writ." \nhttp://www.lectlaw.com/def/h001.htm
209502
it depends on which state,city,citation, and a degree of crime that was committed..*ask a lawyer* just a suggestion..
361694
It probably varies from state to state, but the two exceptions I know of are: (1) if you did jail time for something that was only a misdemeanor; not a felony and (2) if the crime was committed as a juvenile. I don't know if these hold in all states, however.
82822
TO UNDO AN ACT WHICH HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE TO GAIN TIME
75051
There are many statutes of limitations. The basic idea behind them is that after a certain time has elapsed from the commission of an act, a person can no longer be charged or sued for it. One of the main reasons behind these laws are that is in many cases unfair to subject someone to a trial well after the witnesses forget details. What crimes and acts are covered by a statute of limitations depends on the state. Murder usually does not have a statute of limitations, however. Also, the statute of limitations is more important for civil cases than criminal. Imagine wondering for the rest of your life if someone you hit was going to sue you.
273252
The Law of Rome stated that if a person had stolen from you you could exact the amount they had stolen from you with a pound of flesh (i.e. a severe beating with a cat of nine tails).\n\nThis is also seen in The Merchant of Venice, by Shakespeare
540166
The crime is escape from lawful custody.  At the time of the escape the custody was due to the conviction, and was lawful.  The offence has been committed.
83699
Defining Crimes and Setting Punishment\n\nIn the United States, the power to define crimes and set punishment for them rests with the legislatures of the United States, the several states, and the territories, the principal authority being that of the individual states. This power in the states is restricted by the federal Constitution, e.g., in the Fourteenth Amendment and in prohibitions against acts of attainder (an act of attainder is a legislative declaration that a particular individual is guilty of a crime) and against ex post facto laws (laws that retroactively declare certain actions to be criminal). State constitutions may also limit state legislative action. The courts cannot look further into the propriety of a penal statute than to ascertain whether the legislature has the power to enact it. Administrative rules may have the force of law, and violations of such rules are punishable as public offenses, provided that the legislature has made such violations misdemeanors.
801607
never... the 'rule of law' states that no statute can have retrospective effect....(one example of a statute that did have retrospective effect was the 'war crimes act'... to allow the UK to prosecute the germans) \n\nIt wouldn't be fair for a law to have retrospective effect.... think about.....'something which you did two days ago is suddenly made illegal, would it be fair that your arrested for something which at the time you did it was legal?... but became illegal... two days later..... so your prosectuted for that, even though you wouldn't know it was going to become illegal......\n\nthe rule of law states........ we as citizen should know the boundaries to which we should abide...... if we had retrospective law then no such boundary would nay could exist.\n\nhope that helps
368475
It depends on the intent when the crime was committed. Ex. Murder one is premeditated with malicious intent.
548711
It means a person has been found guilty of an offence but set free from court with no penalty (discharged) on condition (conditional) that they do something demanded by the court, usually that they remain of good behaviour and do not come to the notice of the police for a set period of time.
766865
Fines, community service, jail time (prison time) and/or death.\n\nBecoming an outcast with regard to the community.\n\nLoss of certain rights and/or privileges.\n\nAny immediate repercussions at the time the noncompliance occurred (i.e. if you exceed the speed limit and crash your vehicle as a result).\n\nStricter laws being enacted or greater punishment being dealt out to new and repeat offenders.
561811
A crime is a crime.  If it is against the law then anyone that breaks the law is a criminal.  SEAL THE BORDER. Mandate English in the schools period....
961137
the same way adulters do!  if you recall in the new testament an adulterous woman was thrown at the foot of Jesus and they told him she was caught in the act and the law says to stone her because it was a capital crime back then but he said 'if you have not sinned you may cast the first stone'
703417
Any crime that is punishable in the US and UK by one or more years imprisonment upon conviction\n\nOR \n\nConspiring to commit, aiding or abetting the commission of a crime that is punishable by one or more years imprisonment in both countries upon conviction.\n\nhttp://www.fco.gov.uk/Files/kfile/USExtradition_210503.pdf
177335
Certain laws have no time limit regarding their prosecution. They are first degree murder, attempt to commit first degree murder, second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless homicide, concealment of homicidal death, treason, arson, aggravated arson and forgery. The time limitations for other charges vary depending on the punishment and type of offense.\n\nA prosecution may be commenced at any time for any offense involving sexual conduct or sexual penetration as defined by Section 12-12 in which the DNA profile of the offender is obtained and entered into a DNA database within 10 years after the commission of the offense and the identity of the offender is unknown after a diligent investigation by law enforcement authorities. This applies only if the victim reported the offense to law enforcement authorities within 2 years after the commission of the offense unless a longer period for reporting the offense to law enforcement authorities is provided in Section 3-6 or if the victim is murdered during the course of the offense or \ndies within 2 years after the commission of the offense.\n\nFelony prosecutions must be commenced within three (3) years from the date the offense was committed. For misdemeanor offenses, the State has one (1) year and six (6) months from the commission of the offense to bring a charge against a defendant. A statute describing an offense may state a different time limitation from these general rules.\n\nIn a theft case, the statute of limitations begins to run at the time of the original taking of the property even though the defendant continues to exert control over the property.\n\nA prosecution for attempt to commit first degree murder may be commenced within seven years after commission of the offense.
247455
a law is a law -- doesnt matter how long you were on the street...plead guilty and pay the ticket...I assume that is why you are asking...