On Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:06:43 +0100, "Aidy"
wrote:

I think the gist is that law is based on the "reasonable man" principle.
Most people should know if their actions, or intended actions, are against
the law. Esp for the vast majority of crimes.

I would say slightly differently. Most people should know whether a
particular action is *likely* to be against the law or not.

There are plenty of things that many average people believe to be
against the law but which are not, in fact illegal.

Many people believe that it is illegal to take photographs of children
you do not know, for example. How many people would know whether or
not it is illegal to give a child a cigarrette or bottle of booze? Or
whether it is illegal to go onto someone's land or into their house
without permission?

The law pertaining to self-defence is another area in which many
people are uncertain of what they may and may not do.

One big problem is that many people learn snippets of law from what
they see on the TV or at the cinema, which may be either complete
fiction or pertain to the law in a different country.

--
Cynic