In addition to the comments about mens rea being an intention to do an act, not knowledge of the law, sometimes your knowledge (or lack thereof) is part of asse

In addition to the comments about mens rea being an intention to do an act, not knowledge of the law, sometimes your knowledge (or lack thereof) is part of assessing your conduct. For instance, the Englad and Wales Theft Act: > A person’s appropriation of property belonging to another is not to be regarded as dishonest if he appropriates the property in the belief that he has in law the right to deprive the other of it An honest mistake as to the law would not be considered theft.