Case Name: Winehart v. The State
Court: Supreme Court of Indiana
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Decision Date: 1854-12-14
Citations: 6 Ind. 30
Docket Number: 
Parties: Winehart v. The State.
Judges: 
Reporter: Indiana Reports
Volume: 6
Pages: 30–30

Head Matter:
Winehart v. The State.
Thursday, December 14.
Ignorance of the law will not excuse a man from punishment on a criminal accusation.
APPEAL from the Putnam Circuit Court.
J. Cowgill and D: R. Eckles, for the appellant.
R. A. Riley, N B. Taylor, and J. Coburn, for the state.

Opinion:
Perkins, J.
Indictment for keeping a gaming house. Conviction and fine in the Circuit Court.
The question is on the weight of evidence. It is proved, that the defendant kept a grocery store, in which he sold beer, cigars, &c.; and two witnesses testified that-they had often played cards in an adjoining room in the house, for cigars, beer, &c.; that the defendant did not know it was wrong to permit such acts in his house, and whenever he learned it was so, he forbade them. Such prohibition is sometimes a trick. Besides, his ignorance of the law did not excuse him. We think a jury might infer the guilt of the defendant from the evidence. See McAlpin v. The State, 3 Ind. R. 567.— The State v. Staker, id. 570.
Per Curiam.
The judgment is affirmed with costs.