Ignorance of the law
There are local, state and federal laws. Local laws apply to a persons township and county. State laws cover the entire state while federal laws cover the entire country. Every American citizen is required to know the laws that apply to them. However, this can get rather complicated when traveling from state to state as many laws change when doing so . the process of learning laws becomes easier when one realizes that federal law supersedes state law and state law supersedes local laws. In other words, one should learn Federal law first and local laws later because federal law is always going to apply where as state and local laws will only apply when you are in that area. It is important for every citizen to know the laws that pertain to them because ignorance of the law is not a valid defense.
Local and state laws cover things such as traffic laws. For example, in the state of New Jersey a driver is allowed to make a right turn at a red light unless otherwise posted. However, a driver is not allowed to make a right turn at a red light if a city exceeds a certain population count. The ability to generally make a right turn on red, is a state law. The inability to make a right turn on red in say Atlantic City, would be a local law. Although there is probably no federal law that says a driver can turn right on red in this country, there is also not one that says we cant. Therefore, the local laws do not conflict with federal laws.
However, a good example of conflicting federal laws and state laws is the legalization, by some states, of medical marijuana. Although New Jersey recently adopted a law that makes medical marijuana legal under certain circumstances, the individual using medical marijuana, could still be prosecuted under federal law. Therefore, every citizen must learn federal law to protect their rights. An individual using medical marijuana in New Jersey, could easily be prosecuted in federal court even though New Jersey says that it is legal.
Although these laws can become confusing, it is important to be familiar with them because ignorance of the law is not a defense. In other words, an individual can still be prosecuted even if they were not aware that what they did is illegal. This is because as citizens, it is our responsibility to know what we are allowed to do and not allowed to do according to the law. It is important to become familiar with the laws where you live, but also the laws of places you intend to travel. Just as a United States citizen in another country that breaks that country’s law will be prosecuted, so to, will a New jersey resident that breaks a New York law when traveling. Learning the laws that pertain to you, is the best way to protect your rights as a citizen and as a traveler.
