retrospective statute
Defined in 1 dictionary — Case Law
Definitions from Case Law
From 227 U.S. 296 - Winfree v. Northern Pacific Railway Co. · 1913Most cited · 162 citing opinions
It is hardly necessary to say that such statutes are exceptions to the almost universal rule that statutes are addressed to the future, not to the past. They usually constitute a new factor in the affairs and relations of men, and should not be held to affect what has happened unless, indeed, explicit words be used, or by clear implication that construction be required.