In the Halls of Justice

 

In the halls where laws are penned, 

Actus non facit reum, nisi mens sit rea

They commend, 

For deeds alone are not crimes, 

Without the guilty mind,

Entwined in time.

 

Audi alteram partem, hear the other side, 

For justice blooms where voices collide. 

In every case,

Both sides must be heard in full,

For fair decree…

 

Nemo judex in causa sua,

None should judge their own, 

For bias blinds the fairest throne. 

To judge with clarity,

True and bright, 

Impartial minds must guide the light.

 

Ex turpi causa non oritur actio,

From a wrong,

No rights emerge, 

In tainted claims,

Justice won't surge. 

Volenti non fit injuria,

To those who consent, 

No injury arises,

No lament is sent.

 

In dubio pro reo,

In doubt,

We lean, 

Towards the accused,

In shadows unseen. 

For in the balance,

When truth is slight, 

We tip the scales towards the light.

 

Ignorantia juris non excusat,

Knowledge you must own, 

For ignorance of the law leaves none to atone. 

Res ipsa loquitur,

The thing itself speaks, 

In silent evidence,

The truth it seeks.

 

Stare decisis,

Let the decision stand, 

Precedents guide the learned hand. 

Yet, Fiat justitia ruat caelum,

Let justice be done, 

Though the heavens fall,

We fear none.

 

In these maxims,

Old and wise, 

The law in its essence lies. 

In every court,

In every plea, 

They guide us towards equity.