Ethiopia

The Criminal Code of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

PART I

GENERAL PART

BOOK I

CRIMES AND CRIMINALS

TITLE III

CONDITIONS OF LIABILITY TO PUNISHMENT IN RESPECT OF CRIMES

CHAPTER II

CRIMINAL GUILT

Section II.- Lawful Acts, Justifiable Acts and Excuses

Sub-section II.- Justifiable Acts and Excuses

Article 81.- Mistake of Law and Ignorance of Law.

(1) Ignorance or mistake of law is no defence.

(2) The Court shall, without restriction, reduce the punishment (Art. 180) applicable to a person who in good faith believed he had a right to act and had definite and adequate reasons for holding this erroneous belief.
The Court shall determine the penalty taking into account the circumstances of the case and, in particular, the circumstances that led to the error.

(3) In exceptional cases of absolute and justifiable ignorance and good faith and where criminal intent is not apparent, the Court may impose no punishment .

Keywords

Mistake of law - national proceedings



EDIT.