3 ms·
It's the theory that if you write enough laws then everybody is a criminal. Then the authorities can just pick and choose who they wish to prosecute. This an ex
by talmand 11y ago
It's the theory that if you write enough laws then everybody is a criminal. Then the authorities can just pick and choose who they wish to prosecute. This an example of that, so many laws on the books that the people in charge of them have no idea what the laws on the books are.
There have been stories recently of police arresting someone for a legal act because the officer thought it was illegal. If I remember correctly a lawsuit was started in one of these cases and it determined the officer's ignorance of the law was not a suitable reason for the lawsuit. Or something to that point.
- STRML 11y agoWhat's even worse is that it's not a problem for those enforcing the law, it's a problem for you. Ignorance of the law is no excuse as an average citizen, but if an enforcer makes a mistake and dishevels an honest person's life? Much more often than not, the victim just has to take it and move on, and there are no consequences for the mistake.
- jseliger 11y agoIt's the theory that if you write enough laws then everybody is a criminal That's already true, as pointed out in Three Felonies a Day: http://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/1594035229 http://www.amazon.com/Three-Felonies-Day-Target-Innocent/dp/.... Everyone is already a criminal if someone wants to look carefully enough.
- justratsinacoat 11y ago>Everyone is already a criminal if someone wants to look carefully enough This is a pretty good quote. It reminded me of two more: "Honest men have nothing to fear from the police" (said, presumably, by the prolific Anonymous), and "If you give me six lines written by the hand of the most honest of men, I will find something in them which will hang him" (said, presumably, by Cardinal Richelieu but possibly by the Roman philosopher Quintilian)
- Zeeem 11y agoThe first Amazon review directly contradicts you[1]. Accordong to it, the book does not say that we all commit three felonies a day. [1]http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/1594035229/R11HC7ZWMQV2QY/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_1?ie=UTF8&cursor=1 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/1594035229/R11HC7ZWMQV2QY...
- talmand 11y agoI haven't read it, but I'm aware of the book. But I disagree with the title of three felonies a day, I just doubt that. I suppose it's possible the book covers that in some way though.