LATIN 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).