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Justinian I · The Digest of Justinian §48.8.14.pr

Focus on Intention Rather than Outcome in Crimes

Passage 8253 of 9271 · Latin

Summary

Callistratus quotes a rescript of the Emperor Hadrian, stating the fundamental principle that in crimes the intention is to be regarded rather than the outcome.

[CALLISTRATUS libro sexto de cognitionibus. ] §48.8.14.prDiuus Hadrianus in haec uerba rescripsit: 'in maleficiis uoluntas spectatur, non exitus'.
[CALLISTRATUS, Extraordinary Trials, Book 6] The deified Hadrian replied by rescript in these words: 'In crimes, the intention is regarded, not the outcome.'

Notes

  1. §48.8.14.prrescripsit — The perfect tense of the verb *rescribere* (to reply by rescript). It is a technical term referring to the emperor issuing an official written response (*rescriptum*) to a legal petition or inquiry.
  2. §48.8.14.prin maleficiis uoluntas spectatur, non exitus — A famous legal maxim expressing the subjective principle of Roman criminal law: "In crimes, the intention is regarded, not the outcome." Here *maleficia* broadly refers to criminal offenses in general within this context.

Cite this passage

Justinian I, The Digest of Justinian §48.8.14.pr. Humanitext Reader, https://reader.humanitext.ai/en/text/urn:cts:latinLit:phi2806.phi002.humanitext-lat1:48.8.14.pr

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