Scofflaw

A scofflaw is a person who habitually disregards the law, especially in minor or petty ways. This behavior often involves a deliberate flouting of regulations or rules, demonstrating a lack of respect for authority and a willingness to take risks to avoid them. The term implies a conscious choice to violate established norms, even if the consequences are relatively minor, like parking fines or traffic violations. While the actions of a scofflaw might seem trivial, they can represent a broader attitude of defiance and a disregard for societal order. They are often driven by a belief they are above the rules or are not significant, or, possibly, that the rules themselves are unjust or arbitrary.

Scofflaw meaning with examples

• The city's new parking enforcement initiative was designed to crack down on scofflaws who routinely parked illegally, causing congestion and endangering pedestrians. Many local businesses and residents supported the measure.
• Despite numerous warnings, the scofflaw continued to let their dog off the leash in the park, ignoring the clearly posted regulations and earning repeated fines from the park authorities. This caused concern and ire from other park goers.
• The online forums were filled with complaints from residents frustrated by the scofflaws who consistently failed to adhere to recycling guidelines, mixing trash and recyclables, leading to contaminated recycling streams.
• Known for his disregard for speed limits, the scofflaw accumulated a long list of traffic citations, eventually leading to the suspension of his driving license. His reckless behaviour had become notorious.