Mistake of law - national proceedings

Cook Islands

Cook Islands - Crimes Act 1969 EN

COOK ISLANDS - CRIMES ACT 1969

PART III - MATTERS OF JUSTIFICATION OR EXCUSE

Ignorance of law

28. Ignorance of law - The fact that an offender is ignorant of the law is not an excuse for any offence committed by him.

Rome Statute

Article 32 Mistake of fact or mistake of law

2. A mistake of law as to whether a particular type of conduct is a crime within the jurisdiction of the Court shall not be a ground for excluding criminal responsibility. A mistake of law may, however, be a ground for excluding criminal responsibility if it negates the mental element required by such a crime, or as provided for in article 33.