Slide 3: Ignorance/Mistake of Fact

Question 1

Question: Can ignorance of the law be used as a defense?

Answer 1

Answer: No, ignorance of the law is not an excuse. However, a mistake of fact can be used as a defense if the defendant was unaware of underlying facts that would make the act illegal (e.g., believing someone is of legal age when they are not).

Question 2

Question: What is required in cases involving the age of consent?

Answer 2

Answer: In cases where the accused claims ignorance of a person’s age, they must take all reasonable steps to verify the person’s age to use ignorance as a defense.