Do you agree with 'Ignorance of the law is no excuse'?

1. 84

   tsmogposted 7 years ago

   Do you agree with 'Ignorance of the law is no excuse'?
   
   Does that apply to every set of rules, regulations, and laws?

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2. 45

   Ericdierkerposted 7 years ago

   Yes. But like all rules there are exceptions. A posted speed limit sign that has been blocked from view by a tree overgrowth. Not being aware of a property line - trespassing.
   But normally it is only relevant in the penalty phase of guilt. It mitigates well against "throwing the book at you".
   
   Interesting concept when applied to raising children and person to person interaction boundaries.

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   1. 84

      tsmogposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I had children in mind when I wondered this question while thinking aren't we all children in a sense. Not being a parent, I have no experience how fairness is applied with that concept.

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   2. 89

      Rochelle Frankposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I have to agree with it. Otherwise every lawbreaker would be excused by claiming ignorance. But, as Eric said, there are exceptions, and that's where judgement comes in. Intent of the lawbreaker is always a factor.

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3. 80

   dashingscorpioposted 7 years ago

   Logically this has never made sense to me.
   However I understand the intent.
   You can't have a society where anyone can claim "I didn't know" and escape punishment.
   And yet if you're driving 55mph and there are no posted signs and you get stopped by the police who inform you the speed limit is 40mph....Many would choose to fight the ticket.

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4. 67

   ptosisposted 7 years ago

   
   
   Hell no - not when we have secret laws and secret interpretations of those laws. Thanks PATRIOT act.
   
   2013 - Leaked FISA court order publicly revealed that “secret interpretation”: the government was using Section 215 of the Patriot Act to collect the phone records of virtually every person in the United States.
   
   This secrecy is overbroad and unnecessary. Americans have a right to know how their government is interpreting public laws.
   
   Is Secret Law really either?
   
   But I'm sure you were talking about 'black letter law'
   
   The U.S. government viewed Section 702 as a green light for the mass surveillance of Americans. Section 702 of the FISA Act was renewed in 2012. It is set to expire this December unless Congress extends it again. Knowing what we now know about this anti-American legislation we must work hard to prevent its renewal.

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