Legal Definitions - mala antiqua

MALA ANTIQUA

Old crimes; offenses that date back to antiquity.

Mala Antiqua refers to crimes or offenses that were committed a long time ago, often in ancient times. These crimes may have been forgotten or overlooked for many years, but they can still have consequences in the present day. For example, if someone discovers evidence of a crime that was committed centuries ago, the perpetrator's descendants may still be held responsible for the offense.

One example of Mala Antiqua is the crime of piracy. Piracy has been a crime for thousands of years, and even though it is not as common today as it was in the past, it is still considered a serious offense. Another example is the crime of treason, which has been punished throughout history and is still a crime in many countries today.

Another example of Mala Antiqua is the crime of sacrilege, which involves disrespecting or damaging religious objects or places. This crime has been punished for centuries and is still considered a serious offense in many cultures.

These examples illustrate how crimes that were committed in the past can still have consequences in the present day. Even though these crimes may have been committed a long time ago, they are still considered serious offenses and can result in punishment for the perpetrator or their descendants.