Ignorancia o Error en la Ley Penal de Pensilvania

Explicación Simple

Si alguien comete un error sin querer, como pensar que un lugar es público cuando no lo es, eso puede ayudarlo. A veces, la ley entiende que no siempre se puede saber todo.

Es como cuando cocinas y usas sal en lugar de azúcar por error. No querías hacer un platillo salado, solo cometiste un error y eso puede cambiar cómo se ve el resultado.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan entra a un edificio pensando que es una biblioteca abierta al público. Si la seguridad lo detiene por estar allí sin permiso, él puede argumentar que no sabía que estaba cometiendo un delito porque pensaba que era un lugar público.

Penalidades

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Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

18 Pa.C.S. 304 - Ignorance Or Mistake (1) the ignorance or mistake negatives the intent, knowledge, belief, recklessness, or negligence required to establish a material element of the offense; or (2) the law provides that the state of mind established by such ignorance or mistake constitutes a defense. 18 Pa.C.S. 305 - Limitations On Scope Of Culpability Requirements (a) When culpability requirements are inapplicable to summary offenses and to offenses defined by other statutes.--The requirements of culpability prescribed by section 301 of this title (relating to requirement of voluntary act) and section 302 of this title (relating to general requirements of culpability) do not apply to: (1) summary offenses, unless the requirement involved is included in the definition of the offense or the court determines that its application is consistent with effective enforcement of the law defining the offense; or (2) offenses defined by statutes other than this title, in so far as a legislative purpose to impose absolute liability for such offenses or with respect to any material element thereof plainly appears. (b) Effect of absolute liability in reducing grade of offense to summary offense.--Notwithstanding any other provision of existing law and unless a subsequent statute otherwise provides: (1) when absolute liability is imposed with respect to any material element of an offense defined by a statute other than this title and a conviction is based upon such liability, the offense constitutes a summary offense; and (2) although absolute liability is imposed by law with respect to one or more of the material elements of an offense defined by a statute other than this title, the culpable commission of the offense may be charged and proved, in which event negligence with resp