Cameron Miranda
Most people think of themselves as law-abiding citizens, but the average person commits around seven crimes per week. Many people break the law without even realising it, and some laws are broken so commonly that people don't even consider them to be illegal. For example, speeding is a commonly broken law, but many people don't think of it as a crime. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but ignorance that you're committing a crime might be.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Intent | Few people intend to break the law, but many are unaware they are doing so. |
| Ignorance | Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but ignorance of committing a crime might be. |
| Excuses | Some people excuse their actions by saying "everyone else does it". |
| Minor crimes | 58% of people view breaking the law as "OK" if the crimes are minor. |
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What You'll Learn
Ignorance of the law is not an excuse
While it may be difficult to know all the laws, ignorance of the law is not an excuse for breaking it. This is a legal principle derived from Roman law, ignorantia juris non excusat (ignorance of the law excuses not) or ignorantia legis neminem excusat (ignorance of law excuses no one). In other words, if someone breaks the law, they are still liable even if they had no knowledge of the law being broken.
This principle is important because it holds people accountable for their actions. For example, it would be too easy for people to break a contract, ignore a neighbour’s right to privacy, or sell drugs if they could get away with it by arguing they didn’t know it was against the law.
However, it is important to note that ignorance that you are committing a crime might be an excuse. For instance, if a police officer pulls you over and asks if you know your tail light is out, answering that you do know could be considered a confession to a crime. Additionally, in some cases, ignorance of the law may be a mitigating circumstance when considering sentencing in a criminal case or reduced damages in a civil case.
Despite this principle, many people still break the law unintentionally. According to a poll, the average person commits around seven crimes per week, such as exceeding the speed limit. Furthermore, twenty percent of people surveyed don’t believe what they do is illegal because “everyone else does it”. This excuse is unlikely to hold up in court, even for minor crimes.
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Ignorance of committing a crime might be
In general, there is no requirement that a person be aware that what they are doing is illegal for a crime to be committed. For example, if a policeman pulls you over and asks if you know your tail light is out, answering that you do know means you have confessed to a crime. Twenty percent of people surveyed don't believe what they do is illegal because "everyone else does it", but this excuse will not get you anywhere in court.
It is important to note that ignorance of the law is not an excuse, and you can be arrested for unknowingly committing a crime. However, ignorance may be a defence if the law is new and not yet widely known or if the new law criminalises behaviour that is legal in other places. Differences in state and local traffic laws can also come into play, as traffic laws may be different from state to state and city to city. Generally, signs and notices will be posted to warn of different rules in a particular location, and ignorance of the law may be a valid defence if there are no warnings posted.
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Speeding
Most people don't think of themselves as lawbreakers, but many people break the law without even realising it. For example, speeding is a very common way that people break the law.
There are two types of traffic laws related to speed restrictions. The first is an absolute speed limit, which is the most common type of speed law. If the sign clearly shows 55 mph, you violate the law if you go 56 mph or faster. The second type is a presumed speed-limit violation, which is more complex. Some states, such as Texas, allow you to drive over the posted limit as long as you drive safely. For example, if you are going 40 mph in a 35 mph zone, you are technically speeding. However, if it is a clear, dry morning with no other cars on a wide, straight road, you could convince a judge that you were driving safely.
Basic speed limits mean you can be charged with speeding by violating the "basic" speed law, even if you were driving below the posted speed limit. An officer must simply decide that you were going faster than you should have been, considering the driving conditions at the time. For example, the maximum speed limit on a rural highway is 65 mph. You could still get a speeding ticket for driving on that highway at 65 mph in a torrential rainstorm at night.
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Minor crimes
Breaking the law is something that few people ever intend to do, but sometimes you may not even be aware that you are doing something illegal. For example, did you know that exceeding the speed limit is considered a crime? In fact, according to a poll, the average person commits around seven crimes per week.
Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but ignorance of committing a crime might be. For instance, if a police officer pulls you over and asks if you know your tail light is out, answering "yes" could be considered a confession to a crime.
It is important to note that just because "everyone else does it," does not mean it is legal. In a survey, 20% of people did not believe their actions were illegal because they saw others doing the same. However, this excuse will not hold up in court.
While some may view minor crimes as acceptable, it is important to understand the potential consequences. Even a small infraction can lead to a ticket or other legal repercussions.
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Common laws broken in the US
Breaking the law is something few people ever intend to do, but sometimes you may not even be aware that you're doing something illegal. In the US, ignorance of the law is not an excuse, but ignorance that you're committing a crime might be. For example, if a police officer pulls you over and asks if you know your tail light is out, and you answer that you do, then you have confessed to a crime.
According to a poll, the average person commits around seven crimes per week. Many of these are minor crimes, such as exceeding the speed limit, jaywalking, or using a handheld phone while driving. In fact, 20% of people surveyed don't believe what they're doing is illegal because "everyone else does it".
Other commonly broken laws in the US include:
- Pirating music or movies
- Gambling, depending on the state
- Opening or throwing away someone else's mail
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Frequently asked questions
A total of 58% of people view breaking the law as 'OK' if the crimes are minor. However, it's important to consider the potential damage to the public good by undermining codified norms.
Breaking traffic laws by speeding, driving without a seatbelt, or using a cell phone while driving are common occurrences in many places. Prank calling may also be illegal in your area, as it can be considered harassment or disorderly conduct.
The threat of a traffic ticket or criminal charges may not always be a deterrent, but breaking the law can have serious consequences. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) suggests that injury accidents will affect two out of every three motorists in their lives.
