Afraid of violating some obscure federal law that lacks any intent requirement? Worried that you might misstep into the pages of Title 18 and the embrace of a U.S. Attorney? Well there should be an app for that–an augmented reality app equipped with a GPS to locate you, a facial recognition program to see who you are with, a voice recognition program to understand what you are saying, and a deep understanding of the depths of Title 18.
Imagine. Whenever you are about to break the law, it alerts you!
- Alert: You are about to walk onto a protected wetland. Go somewhere else!
- Alert: Don’t pick up that arrowhead! It is protected by federal law!
- Alert: Don’t squish that endangered insect! It is protected by federal law!
- Alert: Don’t violate the Terms of Service of some web site. It is a federal crime!
Rather than committing three crimes a day, maybe you would only commit one or two.
Now is ignorance or willful blindness of your crime app a valid excuse? Would ignoring the app imply some mens rea or intent?
Though, a more accurate three crimes a day app would just alert you to let you know you probably broke a law.
H/T Corey Carpenter