Are citizens expected to know the law?

“Every man is presumed to know the law,” says a long-established legal aphorism. And if you are charged with a crime, you would be well advised to rely on some other defense than “I had no idea that was illegal.” But not everybody favors this state of affairs.

Does breaking the law make you a criminal?

Originally Answered: Is anyone who breaks the law considered a criminal?? Not necessarily. A criminal is a person who has been found guilty of violating criminal laws; that is, they commit crimes. Crimes are defined by a state’s penal code.

What is the ignorance of the law excuses no one?

Ignorance of the law excuses no one from compliance therewith. If a person violates a law, even though in truth he does not know that such law exists, such ignorance of its existence is not a valid legal defense and will not excuse him from the legal consequences of the law’s violation.

Is not knowing the law a defense?

Not knowing the law is simply not a defense for a criminal act in the vast majority of cases. The general principle that ignorance of the law is no excuse holds true for most cases. However, in some limited circumstances, ignorance of the law can be an excuse.

What happens to kids that break the law?

When minors, people under age 18, break the law, they usually appear in juvenile court. In most cases, the child admits to the crime and depending on the situation, the judge may put the child on probation, place the child in a foster home, or in serious cases, the child may be sent to a juvenile institution.

What is your interpretation of ignorance of the law excuses no man from practicing it?

The legal principle of ignorantia juris non excusat (ignorance of the law excuses not) or ignorantia legis neminem excusat (ignorance of law excuses no one) is derived from Roman law. Essentially, it means that if someone breaks the law, he or she is still liable even if they had no knowledge of the law being broken.

Can I plead ignorance?

Definition of plead ignorance : to say that one knows nothing about something When asked about the reasons for these drastic changes, she pleaded/pled ignorance.

Can ignorance be an excuse in law?

It is commonly said that ignorance of fact excuses from liability, whereas ignorance of law does not. In such cases, a mistake of law is increasingly being allowed as a defense, especially under statutes that impose harsh penalties.