As we all know, ignorance of the law is no excuse for not following it. Unless, of course, you’re an officer of the law. And then, the Supreme Court says it’s perfectly fine.
This week, the Supreme Court ruled on a North Carolina case that essentially says cops don’t really have to know the law. It stemmed from a 2009 vehicle search in Surry County when an officer incorrectly thought cars had to have two working brake lights. And that’s wrong. They only need one. All but one of the Justices figure the stop was still okay because police have to make so many quick decisions.
Which, of course, they do. But some online posts point out that it sets up a concept of having one interpretation of the law for police and another for us. While every officer has some ability to use their own judgment, how many times have you heard it said: “ignorance of the law is no excuse”?
Since the Supreme Court says it is an excuse for police, why can’t it be one for the rest of us?
