Mistaken notions about one's legal rights are not sufficient to bar prosecution for crime.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A person's mistaken belief about his legal rights does not excuse criminal conduct — ignorance of the law is no defense, even when the defendant sincerely believed he was within his rights.

Where this applies

• A tax protester sincerely believes income taxes are unconstitutional and refuses to file returns, but the court convicts him because his mistaken belief about his legal rights does not excuse the crime.
• A driver genuinely believes that her expired license is still valid and drives without a current one, but the court holds that her mistaken notion about her legal status does not bar prosecution.
• A business owner honestly believes his operation is exempt from health regulations based on a misreading of the statute, but the court finds that his erroneous legal interpretation does not prevent criminal charges.