After The Fact

The use of the phrase “after the fact” as it relates to crimes dates from the first half of the 1500s. 

The word became standard in British law and was first recorded in 1769 in the phrase “accessories after the fact” referring to persons who assisted a lawbreaker after a crime had been committed.

I suppose it’s almost criminal that this entry is so brief however should I unearth more information on the phrase, I promise to add it after the fact.