"Ignorance of the law excuses no one." How would you explain this?

Question

I know what this basic rule is. I took up law for 2 years. So, how do you understand this to mean?

Answer 1

In the news today, a professor at Assumption was convicted with finality for rape. He had sex with a 17-year old student. he said they were lovers.

But the law says you can not have sex with minors (unless you are married, and the marriage has parental consent). And that it is otherwise called RAPE.

The clueless (?) professor was declared guilty, "ignorant" of that law.

Bottomline,the courts will never let you off with an "I'm sorry I did not know it was illegal" alibi. Dura lex, sed lex.

Answer 2

Being unaware of a certain law or rule does not excuse you from breaking said law/rule. You can never reason out to an officer that you are unaware of a certain prohibition. As a citizen/visitor to a place, it is your responsibility to learn the different laws and regulations enforced in their area of responsibility.

Answer 3

Another instance is when I threw a cigarette butt on the pavement in Cubao, and the MMDA accosted me. Seems they had, a sort of campaign at the time. I was on my way to the airport, passport and all. I was rather late and cannot afford to go to jail. And neither would I like to cough out any money in fees.

A good thing my lawyer was with me, who was also a top ranked law enforcer, showed them the badge, and I was excused, even though I knew the law, and accidentally broke it.

Answer 4

In other words just because you had no idea that there was a law against something you did, does not mean that you can rely on that when you are charged. Even if you were not aware that you were doing something wrong dosent mean you will not have to face the consequence. Hope this helped!=)

Answer 5

ignorance of law is one thing -not knowing law is another
so there are times when you get away with pending on judges heart-but the truth is you should know the laws where ever you go there usually are some kinds of signs or billboards to teach you of certain laws

Answer 6

e.g. and example only

While on visit, not knowing that spitting on the streets in Makati is illegal and anyone caught will be fined 2000 pesos doesn't excuse you from being fined if a policeman catches you spitting on the street.

It's just the instances wherein you can't use "di ko po alam eh" along with your charms on the policeman. cough out 2000 pesos please!

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does it mean that lawmakers can pass on a new law on something i just love to do so that they can keep me behind bars one day? ROFL

Answer 7

You took law for 2 years and you dont know this? ITs simple.
If you break the law and the police caught you, charged you in court., you cannot said that " You dont know the law" as an alibi.

Ex: you killed a stupid person, then you cannot tell the judge that you dont know its illegal to kill a stupid person.

Answer 8

Not knowing that a law exists does not exonerate you if you break said law.

Now, having said that it is obvious that if you know the law and break it. then and only then, you can have an excuse,
e.g. Erap embezzling millions,
Marcos clan embezzling, murder, torture etc. and I am sure that there are many more.

Answer 9

If ignorance were excusable, then nobody would ever break any law. One would simply say he didn't know the law, and he would be exonerated.

Answer 10

It refers to mistakes with regard to the existence of a law which will not exempt the culprit from punishment.