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NeCede's

Maxim 3.5.1

Ignorance of the law does not excuse.

Ignorantia juris non excusat.

Source: 4 Bouv. Inst. no. 3828; 1 Story, Eq. Jur. s. 111; 2 Co. 36; 4 Bl. Comm. 27; Broom, Max. 253 Difficulty 1/5 — Foundational

Explanation

Every man is presumed to know the law. This presumption is necessary to the functioning of any legal system — without it, the most brazen violator would have the readiest defense.

Where this applies

  • A driver gets a speeding ticket and argues they did not know the speed limit.
  • A business owner violates a regulation and claims they never heard of it.

Topics

Ignorance

Legal domains

criminalprocedural

See also

Cite this maxim

NeCede Max. 3.5.1 — Ignorance of the law does not excuse. — 4 Bouv. Inst. no. 3828; 1 Story, Eq. Jur. s. 111; 2 Co. 36; 4 Bl. Comm. 27; Broom, Max. 253 (Ignorantia juris non excusat.)

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