Nulla Poena Sine Lege

This option report compares constitutional provisions related to the principle nulla poena sine lege, or no punishment without a corresponding law. The sample of constitutions reviewed consists of almost 600 constitutions enacted since 1789. In addition to setting out the historical trends with respect to the constitutionalization of this principle, the report divides the principle into two varieties, namely: 1. No Act Is a Crime Unless at the Time It Was Committed the Law Specified So, and 2. No One Can Be Arrested, Detained, or Punished Except in Cases Determined by the Law or by Court Order, and provides sample constitutional provisions.