Ignorance is no excuse

Also found in: Wikipedia

0.01 sec.

Ignorance (of the law) is no excuse (for breaking it).

Prov. Even if you do not know that something is against the law, you can still be punished for doing it. (An ancient legal principle.) Police officer: I'm giving you a speeding ticket. Motorist: But I didn't know I was exceeding the speed limit! Police officer: Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. Terry protested that he didn't know it was illegal to break the windows of an abandoned building, but the judge informed him that ignorance of the law was no excuse.

See also: excuse, ignorance

Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Feedback

References in periodicals archive	?		Idioms browser	?		Full browser	?
I accept you thought the boy was older, especially as you met him in a pub - but ignorance is no excuse. Just Joan: I didn't realise he was underage by Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland) I know that ignorance is no excuse but I wish Gillian could have been given the same caution I was given. Letter: You say - It's their law by Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England) Ignorance is no excuse in law and by the time a firm realises they could have prevented a problem, it maybe too late to avoid a huge compensation bill, massive court expenses and even custodial sentences. Employment Focus: Working on safety; A Scots college is at the ... by Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland)			If you can't be good, be careful If you can't beat 'em,! If you can't beat them, join them If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen If you don't like it, lump it If you don't make mistakes, you don't make anything If you don't mind! If you don't see what you want, please ask if you get my drift if you know what's good for you If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas if you must If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys If you play with fire, you get burned if you please If you run after two hares, you will catch neither If you want a thing done well, do it yourself If you want peace, prepare for war If you would be well served, serve yourself if you'll pardon the expression If you're born to be hanged, then you'll never be drowned if you've a mind to do If you've got it, flaunt it! ignorance Ignorance is bliss Ignorance is no excuse ill ill at ease ill will ill-disposed to doing ill-gotten gains illuminate with illustrate with image imagination imagine imagine as imbue with Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery immediate occupancy immemorial immerse in immigrate to some place immunize against impact impact on impaired impale on impart to impasse impeach for			ignobly ignobly ignominia ignominies ignominies ignominious ignominious ignominiously ignominiously ignominiousness ignominiousness ignominy ignominy ignominy Ignomy ignorable ignorable ignorable coordinate ignoramus ignoramus ignoramuses ignoramuses ignorance ignorance ignorance ignorance Ignorance is bliss Ignorance is bliss Ignorance is bliss Ignorance is bliss Ignorance is no excuse Ignorance of a Rival ignorance of law ignorance of law ignorance of law ignorance of law Ignorance-based view ignorant ignorant ignorant ignorant Ignorant habit Ignorant habit Ignorant habit Ignorant habit Ignorantia excusatur Ignorantia facti excusat Ignorantia judicis est calamitas innocentis Ignorantia juris non excusat Ignorantia juris non excusat Ignorantia legis neminem excusat Ignorantia terminis ignoratur et ars Ignorantism Ignorantist ignorantly ignorantly ignorantness Ignorants Ignorants Ignorants ignorare

Idioms and phrases

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup

Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.