Gordon v. State
Alabama Supreme Court
52 Ala. 308 (1875)
Relevant factsFree
Gordon (defendant) was charged with illegally voting while under 21; his mother and a lifelong acquaintance both testified they had told him, based on their own honest belief, that he had turned 21 shortly before the election. Gordon requested a jury instruction that he should be acquitted if he honestly believed he was 21 based on these representations, but the trial court refused, and the jury convicted him.
IssueFree
Whether, when criminal intent depends on knowledge of certain facts, ignorance of those facts can provide a defense.