Retroactive criminal laws undermine the "central values" of free societies.

Question

Retroactive criminal laws undermine the "central values" of free societies.​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Retroactive criminal laws violate the principle of legality, which states that individuals should only be punished for actions that were clearly prohibited by law at the time they were committed. This principle is a cornerstone of free societies and protects individuals from arbitrary government action. When retroactive laws are applied, individuals may be punished for actions that were not previously illegal, which undermines the central value of fairness in the legal system.

Retroactive Criminal Laws Undermine the "Central Values" of Free Societies