Autrefois convict (formerly convicted), plea of. The defence of a person charged with any crime that he has been already convicted of the same crime, entitling the party proving it to a discharge on the ground that nemo debet bis vexari pro una et eadem causa. See the principle recognized in s. 33 of the Interpretation Act, 1889; R. v. Sheridan and R. v. Grant, 155 LT 207 and 209, and for form of the plea, see s. 28 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 1851 (14 & 15 Vict. c. 100).
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