A state violates the ex post facto clause if the state does any of the following EXCEPT:
A) Punish an act as crime that was not criminal when done
B) Removes a defense that was available
C) Increases punishment for a crime after it was committed
D) Must be prospective in nature

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ex post facto clause prohibits laws that retroactively change the legal consequences of actions that were committed before the enactment of the law. Options A, B, and C describe actions that would violate the ex post facto clause by retroactively criminalizing actions, removing defenses, or increasing punishments. Option D, stating that laws must be prospective in nature, is actually a requirement to avoid violating the ex post facto clause, not an exception to it.

A State Violates the Ex Post Facto Clause If the State