LEGAL TERMS AND LEGAL MAXIMS

VERBA LEGIS NON EST DECENDENDUM - from the words of the law
there can be no departure.
DURA LEX SED LEX - the law may be harsh but it is the law.
IGNORANTIA LEGIS NEMINEM EXCUSAT - ignorance of the law excuses
no one.
IGNORANTIA FACTI EXCUSAT - mistake of fact excuses.
PRAETER INTENTIONEM - different from that which was intended.
ERROR IN PERSONAE - mistake in identity.
ABBERATIO ICTUS - mistake in the blow.
NULUM CRIMEN, NULLA POENA SINE LEGE - there is no crime when
there is no law punishing the same.
ACTUS NON FACIT REUM, NISI MENS SIT REA - the act cannot be
criminal where the mind is not criminal.
ACTUS MI INVICTU REUS, NISI MENS FACIT REUM - an act done by me
against my will is not my act.
MENS REA - guilty mind.
ACTUS REUS - guilty act.
RES IPSA LOQUITOR - the thing speaks for itself.
CAUSA PROXIMA - proximate cause which produced the immediate
effect.
PRIMA FACIE - at first glance.
LOCUS CRIMINIS - scene of the crime or crime scene.
PRO REO - principle in criminal law which states that where the statute
admits of several interpretations, the one most favorable to the accused
shall be adopted.
RES GESTAE - the thing itself.
FALSUS IN UNUM, FALSUS IN OMNIBUS - false in one part of the
statement would render the entire statement false (NOTE: this maxim is not
recognized in our jurisdiction).
ACCUSARE NEMO SE DEBET [NISI CORAM DEO] - no one ought to
accuse himself [except to god].
ARMA IN ARMATOS SUMERE JURA SINUNT - the law permits the taking
up of arms against the armed.
CORPUS DELICTI - body of crime.
VIM VI REPELLERE LICET - it is allowed to repel force with force.