Principle of Legality
An overarching concept in American criminal law is that people may not be punished for committing merely immoral or unethical acts. They can only be punished if that act has been announced beforehand as a crime.
Read more about this topic: United States Criminal Law
Famous quotes containing the words principle of and/or principle:
“On principle I dislike an oath which requires a man to swear he has not done wrong. It rejects the Christian principle of forgiveness on terms of repentance. I think it is enough if the man does no wrong hereafter.”
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865)
“The only principle that does not inhibit progress is: anything goes.”
—Paul Feyerabend (1924–1994)