ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it
proverb Someone cannot use their lack of knowledge as an excuse for doing something wrong or illegal. A: "Officer, I had no idea there was a curfew around here." B: "Well, ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it." I know you didn't think you were doing anything seriously wrong, but that defense won't hold up in court. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it. Ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking it! The Stop sign was there, whether you saw it or not!
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