Stogner v. California

Summary

The Court held that the Constitution's Ex Post Facto Clause bars a state law enacted after the expiration of a limitations period from reviving a previously time-barred criminal prosecution. The opinion concludes the law inflicts punishment where the party was not liable at the time of enactment, falling within historical definitions of ex post facto laws. Justice Kennedy dissented, arguing the statute does not change the criminal quality of the offense under Calder v. Bull's categories.