Citizens' responsability to know the law

pickarooney

Just how much is a citizen supposed to know of the laws of the land? While muder and theft are universal considered wrong, there are so many laws and regulations that it would be ridiculous to expect everyone to know them all by heart. Is it ever an allowable excuse to say that you honestly didn't know such-and-such a thing was against the law?

MiCr0

its your responsibility to know the law's of the land.

Ignorance is no excuse.

DadaKopf

Ignorance is no excuse. That's the Law.

Most common law is based on common sense, as is criminal law. Whatever is the dominant value of the day is most likely the way you're expected to act.

At the very least, schoolkids should have to take classes teaching the constitution. Kids should be encouraged to discuss the ideas contained in it and whether the Constitution is in need of any change. It's not so much about teaching individual rights as doctrine (not always a good thing) but about realising civic responsibility.

rubadub

i have always thought the government should issue a book of laws like a phone book, once a year. i once asked a garda if reversing out of a driveway was illegal and he didnt know. how do you go about finding out if things are illegal when the enforcers dont know. is there a law library. how can you find out the drug laws in this country? many college handbooks say some obscure/rare drugs are "grey area".

"ignorance is no defence" so how do i stop being ignorant? especially when the cops dont have a clue themselves