1

I can't remember the legal term for hmm... not knowing details about the crime. I will explain on the example:

Let's say that we suspect that our friend is going to rob a bank. And he asks us "do you want to know what I'm going to do tonight?" And then we say 'no' because we want to be able to honestly tell the police "I don't know anything about it."

What's the legal term for that? It's pretty common in the movies and TV shows.

Improve this question
9
  • Probably best for law.stackexchange.com
    – Hank
    Jan 30, 2017 at 17:59
  • 4
    plausible deniability ??
    – Jim
    Jan 30, 2017 at 18:00
  • You could also be an accessory to the crime if you know and don't say something. criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/…
    – Hank
    Jan 30, 2017 at 18:02
  • 1
    "Plausible deniability" is certainly the term in politics, but I'm not so sure about law.
    – Hot Licks
    Jan 30, 2017 at 18:21
  • 1
    @Cascabel I think it will be implausible denial.
    – deadrat
    Jan 30, 2017 at 20:02

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
3

Willful Blindness -- Wikipedia

Willful blindness (sometimes called ignorance of law, willful ignorance or contrived ignorance or Nelsonian knowledge) is a term used in law to describe a situation in which a person seeks to avoid civil or criminal liability for a wrongful act by intentionally keeping himself or herself unaware of facts that would render him or her liable.

Improve this answer
1
  • Please include the relevant portion of text from the link.
    – NVZ ♦
    Jan 30, 2017 at 18:46

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.