Strict Liability for Lending Your Car to a Driver with a Suspended License?
So the state of Washington seemed to argue, and a trial court agreed; but the Washington Court of Appeals says no.
Strict Liability
Washington S. Ct.: Strict Liability Drug Possession Ban Unconstitutional
A legislature may not "criminalized ... passive and innocent nonconduct," the court says, applying both the federal and state constitutions' due process clauses.
More on Guns and Strict Liability
An interesting opinion from an Illinois appellate judge, arguing against the Illinois rule under which it's a crime to possess a gun with a defaced serial number even if one has no reason to know that it's defaced.
Illegal Aliens, Guns, and Strict Liability
Federal law bans felons, illegal aliens, and others from knowingly possessing guns (or ammunition); does the government also have to show that the defendant knew he was a felon, illegal alien, or within some other prohibited category? [UPDATE: Last paragraph corrected.]
