If someone does a crime but there was no law against it at that time, do they get caught if a law is set up for it in the future?

Question

So for exemple if someone got on with a minor at the past, or if someone was openly racist in the 50s, would they be jailed now if they were alive, or do laws apply to the time you commited the crime?

In: Other

Answer 1

No, it wasn’t illegal when u did it. However if you committed a crime and then later said action was decriminalised, you’re still liable because it was illegal when u did it. That said, it’s unlikely law enforcement would bother enforcing it or if they did, your sentance would be minimal and probably suspended