Discussion
Ive raised this particular point before and although its been debated a little in a round about way its not been directly discussed.
Why is ignorance of the law no defence?
Im asking because as ive said before, there are so many new laws (~3000 introduced ) since the Communist Peoples Party of Great Britain got in and god only knows how many already existed prior to that event, that its simply impossible to know them all or even a small number of them.
That being the case, someone somewhere is always going to be in breach of them through no fault of their own,( inevitably) and yet they cant plead ignorance; maybe because they dont speak the language or come from a different part of the world where the law theyve broken here isnt a law at all.
Just how can we know what law it is we're in breach of when we dont know what they all are?
What kind of "justice" is it that covers its own arse by making it impossible to plead ignorance of a particular law?
It seems to me that the laws being introduced to "protect" us arent doing any such dam thing: Theyre meant to keep judges and cops and lawyers in a job making easy cash, because they sure as hell dont do a lot to benefit us.
The question still stands.
Why is ignorance of the law no defence?
Im asking because as ive said before, there are so many new laws (~3000 introduced ) since the Communist Peoples Party of Great Britain got in and god only knows how many already existed prior to that event, that its simply impossible to know them all or even a small number of them.
That being the case, someone somewhere is always going to be in breach of them through no fault of their own,( inevitably) and yet they cant plead ignorance; maybe because they dont speak the language or come from a different part of the world where the law theyve broken here isnt a law at all.
Just how can we know what law it is we're in breach of when we dont know what they all are?
What kind of "justice" is it that covers its own arse by making it impossible to plead ignorance of a particular law?
It seems to me that the laws being introduced to "protect" us arent doing any such dam thing: Theyre meant to keep judges and cops and lawyers in a job making easy cash, because they sure as hell dont do a lot to benefit us.
The question still stands.
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
vonhosen said:
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
Part of the problem is that with many laws you don't know it's illegal until a judge has ruled it illegal. Expecting us common folk to _interpret_ a law correctly is crazy. Otherwise, why have trained judges?
Surprisingly illegal things:
- Illegal to possess encrypted material without the key - Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)
- Possession of small quantities of cannabis (*I* know it's illegal, but surveys keep showing people don't think so!)
- Illegal to congregate in groups of more than 3 in public place without permission (Criminal justice act)
- Illegal to be in possession of car key when drunk with no intention of driving
- Illegal to refuse to confess (S172)
that's just off the top of my head
- Illegal to possess encrypted material without the key - Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA)
- Possession of small quantities of cannabis (*I* know it's illegal, but surveys keep showing people don't think so!)
- Illegal to congregate in groups of more than 3 in public place without permission (Criminal justice act)
- Illegal to be in possession of car key when drunk with no intention of driving
- Illegal to refuse to confess (S172)
that's just off the top of my head
vonhosen said:
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
In Bristol they're making it illegal to have door mats inside your front door (social housing/tennants), incase someone enters and slips on it, serious!
deeps said:
vonhosen said:
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
In Bristol they're making it illegal to have door mats inside your front door (social housing/tennants), incase someone enters and slips on it, serious!
That's a criminal offence is it, what act & section ?
vonhosen said:
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
It is illegal not to attend a church service on Christmas day, and such attendance must be on foot. (Holy Days and Fasting Days Act of 1551 (never repealed)).
ETA
Oh, and it's illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas day too, but I couldn't find what act enshrined that one.
ET further A
I'm an atheist, and so shall not be attending a church service by whatever mode of transport. Could you let me know what time you'll be around to arrest me please VH, so I can get dinner finished first.
Edited by Einion Yrth on Monday 18th September 08:12
vonhosen said:
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
Van speed limits.
Only through somebody mentioning on PH, the fact that they got done for speeding in a van at 70 on a DC.
I try to keep up with all the latest vehicle related legislation but this one slipped by me- no mention in the press or on TV. Had I not read it, I'd still be tootling along at 70 when I should have been doing 60 and have ended up in the same situation. 3 points and 60 notes please.. maybe more!
vonhosen said:
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
I was in a cab yesterday and the driver quite blatantly violated the law by not asking me if I had smallpox or the plague, unbelievable
! mondeohdear said:
vonhosen said:
deltafox said:
vonhosen said:
What surprises you that it is illegal to do ?
What surprises me is that i dont know what i CAN do legally!
Care to explain how i can know all the laws im supposed to be governed by????
You didn't say, what was the last thing you found out was illegal & it surprised you ?
I was in a cab yesterday and the driver quite blatantly violated the law by not asking me if I had smallpox or the plague, unbelievable
!But did he have a bale of straw hanging from the back bumper? This is an old Hackney Carriage Bylaw in Brighton which has never been repealed!!
)Having a sh/t in a public place without first shouting "relief" so that BIB wraps his cloak around you.
And there’s that one which has become almost urban myth that it’s legal to shoot a Scotsman from the city wall in York, except on Sundays. Which is actually true but I don’t think it would help in your defence. I still think you’d get a life sentence for murder, but it would be a heated court case. A similar one about shooting a Welshman also exists in Chester, but you have to do it with a crossbow.
Lifted from another web site
And there’s that one which has become almost urban myth that it’s legal to shoot a Scotsman from the city wall in York, except on Sundays. Which is actually true but I don’t think it would help in your defence. I still think you’d get a life sentence for murder, but it would be a heated court case. A similar one about shooting a Welshman also exists in Chester, but you have to do it with a crossbow.
Lifted from another web site
Edited by dickymint on Monday 18th September 13:32
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