My dad went to police academy to learn their secrets then dropped out. It was one of the things he learned, something about using the term unlawful instead of illegal. Barely remember it and don't remember the reason why. Just remember the joke
Black's Law Dictionary defines unlawful as not authorized by law, illegal. Illegal is defined as forbidden by law, unlawful. Semantically, there is a slight difference. It seems that something illegal is expressly proscribed by statute, and something unlawful is just not expressly authorized.
TLDR; Illegal means there's a law banning it. Unlawful means it's not stated to be legal.
Which is a retarded as fuck difference that lends itself to "You have a loicense for that there thing?" Which means EVERYTHING is not legal unless there's a law stating that it's specifically lawful.
Maybe a gimmick to make people plee guilty to bullshit charges? Empower police to make up their own laws?
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