State v. Goodenow

1876

Court: Maine Supreme Court

Facts: Prosecution for adultery: the wife was already married. They had consulted with a justice of the peace, and he told them it would be OK.

Posture: Guilty at trial, presumably.

Issue: Should evidence about their mistaken belief have been accepted?

Holding: No. Affirmed.

Rule: Adultery requires intent, and they had it. A mistaken belief about the law does not negate intent.

Reasoning: They were guilty of negligence and fault taking the magistrate at his word. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Dicta: