the law is an ass

alternative the law is a ass · alternative misconstruction the law is an arse

1. The law, as created by legislators or as administered by the justice system, cannot be relied upon to be sensible or fair.

   Ere he shall lose an eye for such a trifle... For doing deeds of nature! I'm ashamed. The law is such an ass.

   1654, attributed to George Chapman but probably Henry Glapthorne, Revenge for Honour

   4 more examples

   "If the law supposes that," said Mr. Bumble, squeezing his hat emphatically in both hands, "the law is a ass—a idiot."

   1838, Charles Dickens, chapter 61, in Oliver Twist

   I'm not one of those who think the Law is an ass, no, there's a great deal of common sense in the Law of England.

   1917, Henry De Vere Stacpoole, chapter 29, in The Man Who Lost Himself

   Mr Bell said: "The law is an ass. It is a shocking situation when a dangerous criminal can walk free by evading recapture for a month."

   1994 May 14, James Cusick, “Loophole gives knifeman freedom”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 18 Jul 2014

   [N]o matter the legal definitions that guided them, it seems impossible that someone’s young son, guilty of nothing, should die while his killer walks. Adages become such for a reason: The law is an ass.

   2013 July 16, Kathleen Parker, “Unanswered questions in Trayvon Martin case”, in Washington Post, retrieved 18 Jul 2014