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Example of an Ex Post Facto Law Increasing the Possibility of Conviction Retroactively

2 October, 2015 - 10:18

In the preceding example, the state amends the murder statute to remove thestatute of limitations, which is the time limit on prosecution. Before the amendment, the statute of limitations was fifty years. The state cannot prosecute defendants who committed murder morthafifty yearago, pursuant to the amendment. This is considered ex post facto because it increases the chance of conviction after the crime is committed.