whitegato777
Well-Known Member
If you miss read the arizona medical marijuana law wrong and end up breaking one of the rule does that eliminate all protection under the new law?
congratulations!charges dismissed to lack of possible conviction
Ignorance of the law is a valid defense in criminal cases. It stems from the principle of mens rea (a guilty mind. That a reasonable person should have known [act] is criminal. For example, if you murdered someone you couldn't say "oh, I didn't know that was illegal." The standard of mens rea would be met. But, for a violation of a technical detail, such as possessing stolen property, it is possible to have good intentions and simply be ignorant of the law.).I don't think ignorance is a good defense. It's all a grey area so just be careful.
Aristotle’s theory of voluntary and involuntary actions performed by man by which he is responsible is important because it seems, IMO, the platform from which the American legal system is based – ignorance of the law is no defense. Things done from constraint or ignorance are considered involuntary actions, while things free from force or pressure are coined voluntary actions. Whether involuntary or voluntary, one is responsible for his actions even if ignorance of the elements warrantied may have stopped the person from engaging in such action – no defense. The deed is done, the action was performed- involuntary or voluntary, and the actor is at fault for its result. In essence, a person is presumed to know or should have known the law and is responsible for the actions whether culpable or not.Ignorance of the law is a valid defense in criminal cases. It stems from the principle of mens rea (a guilty mind. That a reasonable person should have known [act] is criminal. For example, if you murdered someone you couldn't say "oh, I didn't know that was illegal." The standard of mens rea would be met. But, for a violation of a technical detail, such as possessing stolen property, it is possible to have good intentions and simply be ignorant of the law.).
The phrase "ignorance of the law is no excuse" arises from civil cases. Just because you're ignorant of a trip hazard on your front walkway will never absolve you of your liability for injuries arising from that hazard.