Florida Civics EOC Practice Test

What is an ex post facto law?

1. A law that retroactively changes the legal status of actions

2. A law that pardons actions before they are committed

3. A law that predicts future criminal actions

4. A law that applies only to political figures

The correct answer is: A law that retroactively changes the legal status of actions

An ex post facto law is a law that retroactively changes the legal status of actions, meaning it changes the consequences or repercussions of actions that were taken before the law was passed. Option B is incorrect because a law cannot pardon actions before they are committed. Option C is incorrect because a law that predicts future criminal actions would be considered a predictive law, not an ex post facto law. Option D is incorrect because an ex post facto law applies to all individuals, not just political figures.