American citizens are responsible for knowing what all of our laws are and following them. But it seems so difficult to get that information. If ignorance of the law is no excuse, then where do I go to get "un-ignorant?" Is there some kind of database or master list of the laws I'm expected to know and follow? Most new or changed laws aren't covered by the press. How can I get informed so I don't break a law by virtue of ignorance that it existed?
2006-10-03 07:41:30 · 12 answers · asked by LisaT 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I was discussing this subject yesterday with experts. The proliferation of laws in all countries is such that no reasonable person could expect the public to know all laws. And few can afford to hire an expert to advise. Still: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse" and even worse-sounding in French (pour les Québecois qui sont en ligne) «Nul n'est censé ignorer la loi».
It just makes us the more victims of petits bureaucrats and evil politicians.
There's a lot more to be said. But the available space in Y! Q/A is insufficient. You might start by comparing the respective philosophies of civil law and common law systems. Which are growing closer together by this very practice of writing new laws, and spelling out in each at great length definitions of every term, tying the hands of judges.
2006-10-03 07:48:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Who has time for all of that? Laws are written and changed all the time, some of them being quite moronic. Indeed, wasting your time trying to bone-up on law seems like something only a law student or lawyer would want to attempt.
Quite frankly, if a government is going to use the "ignorance of the law is no excuse" argument to arrest hapless violators of trivial infractions, then I say that it's time to take up arms and start a revolution.
2006-10-03 07:49:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
you're unquestionably good; it may well be unreasonable to think of even the main "juridical" individual may well be attentive to all of the crimes on the books. The criminal regulation operates in accordance to the maxim, lack of understanding isn't any excuse for the regulation, because of the fact it has too. As grow to be reported earlier, if it did not each Defendant might say he did not be attentive to. collectively as this may well be unfair interior the few situations whilst trhe defendant extremely did not be attentive to or have reason to be attentive to, some great reward of the presumption of knowlegde of the regulation outweigh the stable, a minimum of in my eyes.
2016-10-01 21:37:36 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i asked that question a while ago and never got a good response , all i got was read the paper . There should be a website dedicated for each state that lists the updated laws and put the site address on everyone's drivers license .
2006-10-03 07:47:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Every year you can read the updated book of laws. It is only about 1,304,483 pages. Good luck on that.
What you're really asking is how has our government grown so huge and disorganized? How have we, the people, allowed this to happen to us? Why does the government feel that it must control every single aspect of our lives?
2006-10-03 08:06:45 · answer #5 · answered by Goose&Tonic 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The federal government makes all federal laws (US Codes) available on several websites. Most states also have their laws available, and the criminal codes and motor vehicles are usually the most relevent.
Two good websites to find state and federal laws are listed below.
2006-10-03 08:46:54 · answer #6 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just by the fact that lawyers themselves have to specialize and refer to books all the time shows what an impossible task it would be to know the laws in the USA.
2006-10-03 07:53:08 · answer #7 · answered by scarlettt_ohara 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In general it's common sense. If you wonder if something is legal, there is probably a reason.
There are exceprions, after all, we are talking about things passed by politicians.
If you have questions about a particular law, many states have websites that have statutes posted.
usually http://yourstate.gov to start your search
2006-10-03 07:51:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
there needs to be access to the laws. in different public places, like the thrifty nickel adds. it's so one sided. dude is right though it's easier to contol ignorant people then educated people.
2006-10-03 18:50:51 · answer #9 · answered by nellie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you'll find out when you break the law! ;)
I'm being facetious by the way. I agree with you that it's a problem.
2006-10-03 07:49:04 · answer #10 · answered by Byakuya 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋