Main Content

Criminal Law Simons, Volumes I and II

Willful Blindness: State v. Nations

State v. Nations addresses the problem of "willful blindness"--when a defendant seeks to avoid learning a fact when knowledge of that fact is an element of the crime. As you read Nations, consider these questions: 

1. What did Sandra Nations do? What was she charged with?

2. Is Sandra Nations culpable for “endangering the welfare of a child”? Should she be punished for it?

3. Did her conduct (or her ignorance) cause a harm? Is it something the law should seek to deter?