Legal Definitions - scofflaw

A scofflaw is an individual who habitually disregards or flouts laws, especially those they perceive as minor, inconvenient, or difficult for authorities to enforce. This term describes someone who demonstrates a consistent lack of respect for legal rules and regulations, often making a deliberate choice to violate them rather than an accidental transgression.

• Example 1: Consider a driver who frequently parks their car in "no parking" zones or blocks fire hydrants, despite clear signage and the potential for fines. This person might rationalize their actions by believing that parking enforcement is infrequent in that area, or that the convenience of parking close to their destination outweighs the small risk of a ticket. Their repeated, intentional violation of parking regulations demonstrates a disregard for traffic laws and public safety rules, making them a scofflaw.

• Example 2: Imagine a homeowner who consistently places their household garbage and recycling bins out on the curb days before the designated collection time, or leaves them out for days after collection, despite local ordinances specifying strict timeframes. This behavior inconveniences neighbors and can attract pests, but the homeowner continues to do it, perhaps believing that the city sanitation department won't bother to enforce such a minor rule. Their ongoing disregard for community waste disposal regulations illustrates the behavior of a scofflaw.

• Example 3: Think of a small business owner who repeatedly fails to obtain the necessary permits for minor renovations or outdoor signage, even though local zoning laws require them. They might argue that the permit process is too cumbersome or expensive for small changes, and they believe that the city inspector is unlikely to notice or penalize such minor infractions. This deliberate and repeated avoidance of regulatory requirements, based on the assumption of lax enforcement, characterizes them as a scofflaw.