LEGAL MAXIMS AND ITS TRANSLATION
Legal Maxim
1. Verba legis non est
decendendum
2. Dura lex sed lex
3. Ignorantia legis neminem
excusat
4. Ignorantia facti excusat
5. Praeter Intentionem
6. Mens rea
7. Actus reus
8. Res Gestae
9. Pro reo
10. Locus Criminis
11. Nemo bis punitur pro eodem
delicto
12. Causa Proxima
13. Injuria non excusat injuriam
14. Actus mi invictu reus, nisi mens
facit reum
15. Actus non facit reum, nisi mens
sit rea
16. Nulum crimen, nulla poena sine There is no crime when there is no
lege
17. Abberatio Ictus
18. Error in personae
19. Nemo punitur pro alieno
delicto
20. Majus est delictum se ipsum
occidere quam alium
Translation
From the words of the law there
can be no departure.
The law may be harsh but it is the
law.
Ignorance of the law excuses no
one.
Mistake of fact excuses.
Different from that which was
intended.
guilty mind
guilty act
The thing itself.
Principle in criminal law which
states that where the statute
admits of several interpretations,
the one most favorable to the
accused shall be adopted
Scene of the crime or crime scene.
No one can be twice punished for
the same offense.
Proximate cause which produced
the immediate effect.
A wrong does not excuse a wrong
An act done by me against my will
is not my act.
The act cannot be criminal where
the mind is not criminal.
law punishing the same.
Mistake in the blow.
Mistake in identity.
No one is punished for the crime of
another.
It is a greater crime to kill one’s
self than another.