ignorance is no excuse

ignorance is no excuse

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 is no excuse."
See also: excuse, ignorance, no
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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, no
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • teach a man to fish
  • a little knowledge is a dangerous thing
  • it takes a village
  • village
  • all cats are gray after dark/at night
  • better bend than break
  • best-laid plans go astray, the
  • the best-laid plans
  • the best-laid plans go astray
  • the best-laid plans of mice and men
References in periodicals archive
Ignorance is no excuse for breaking the law, a clear statement that we all have to live by.
Let's hope that justice is seen to be done in pay rise scandal; Yousay IN YOUR OPINION..
"I know that ignorance is no excuse for that behaviour [but] it was ignorance rather than an attempt to laugh at indigenous Australians," the paper quoted him, as saying.
Outrage over 'brown painted' Oz students dressed as 'traditional' Aborigines picture
"As much as people say ignorance is no excuse, ignorance is an excuse.
Football has become a witch hunt - Barnes
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
"Ignorance is no excuse and working with Local Neighbourhood Partnerships to use these pavement stencils will help get the message across to dog owners that they must clean up after their dog immediately.
Black Country News: Streets that can cry foul; WALSALL: Dog poop pests warned
# THE law is very black and white in cases like this and I'm afraid ignorance is no excuse. It doesn't matter if it's a genuine mistake or not.
The Judge: Verdicts
There's more dental education available than ever these days so ignorance is no excuse. I hope for Billy's sake that he won't have to wait too many years for his next teeth to come through.
Mirror M@ilbox: Shame on Billy's parents