word of the week
ex post facto
(eks' pōst fak'tō)
Done or made afterward, especially when having retroactive effect. From Latin, meaning from after the action.
The complete independence of the courts of justice is peculiarly essential in a limited Constitution. By a limited Constitution, I understand one which contains certain specified exceptions to the legislative authority; such, for instance, as that it shall pass no bills of attainder, no ex post facto laws, and the like.
From The Federalist [Papers].