What is generally not considered a defense to criminal prosecution?

The reason ignorance is generally not considered a defense to criminal prosecution lies in the legal principle that "ignorance of the law is no excuse." This means that individuals are expected to know the laws that govern their conduct. Claiming ignorance does not absolve one from liability or responsibility for their actions. Courts typically uphold this principle to ensure that legal standards are applied consistently and that individuals cannot evade accountability by simply asserting they were unaware of a law.

In contrast, other options like infancy and insanity can serve as defenses in certain circumstances. Infancy acknowledges that young individuals may lack the capacity to understand their actions or the wrongfulness thereof due to their age. Insanity allows for a defense if a defendant was unable to understand the nature of their actions or distinguish between right and wrong due to a severe mental disorder. Misunderstanding can occasionally be context-specific but does not hold the same weight as a recognized legal defense.