Craziest U.S. Laws Still in Existence
At any given time in the United States, you might be doing something illegal and not even know it. Have you ever played basketball in your driveway after 8 p.m.? In Arkansas, you might be fined. Ever driven a truck with dirty tires? You would be considered a public nuisance in Minnesota. Read on to check out a sampling of this nation's craziest, weirdest, and just plain silly laws.
Alabama
Bear wrestling matches are unlawful.
It is illegal to drive blindfolded. Seems kind of obvious, right? Apparently not to everyone.
You can have a legal incestuous marriage. Since an incestuous marriage in Alabama cannot be “deemed illegitimate”, maybe you should head to the Yellowhammer State if you're really into a close relative.
Alaska
It is illegal to place your pet on the roof of your car, or in an open trunk.
In the city of Nome, it is illegal for a person to carry around a BB gun, bow and arrow, or slingshot.
Arizona
It is illegal to manufacture and/or distribute imitation controlled substances, like cocaine.
You will be charged with a class two misdemeanor for placing a mark on a flag that is “likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation”.
Arkansas
No honking of horns is allowed at sandwich shops after 9 p.m. If you're near a place where “cold drinks or sandwiches are served” after 9 p.m., don't sound your horn!
When you're near a drive-in restaurant, it is illegal for you to suddenly start or stop your car, or to make any loud or “unseemly” noise.
If you want to install a basketball hoop in your driveway, you must live on a cul-de-sac or dead-end street and submit an application to the Department of Public Works. The application, by the way, has to be signed by the owners of all nearby properties. Additionally, it is illegal to use the basketball hoop after 8 p.m. CST or 9 p.m. CDT.
California
In the city of Chico, it is illegal to possess any green hide or any animal hide that gives off an offensive odor.
Also in Chico, it is unlawful to drive or herd cattle, horses, mules, hogs, sheep or goats upon any public street, alley, sidewalk or other public place.
In the city of Walnut, it is illegal for a man or a boy to dress up as a woman without a permit from the sheriff, and no one can wear a mask or disguise on a public street without a permit from the sheriff. Halloween must suck in Walnut.
Colorado
No rock mutilation allowed. While you're in any “recreation areas of the state”, take care not to “willfully mar [or] mutilate” any rocks, trees, shrubbery or wild flowers.
In the city of Alamosa, it is illegal to knowingly throw a missile at cars.
In the posh skiing community of Aspen, it is unlawful to throw a snowball or discharge a slingshot at a vehicle, building, or person, or in any public place.
Connecticut
Hunting or discharging a firearm from a public highway is illegal. You can be fined up to $100 for doing so.
Delaware
In Fenwick Island, you are not allowed to change clothes in your car.
In the city of Rehoboth Beach, it is illegal to sleep (or pretend to sleep, for that matter) on any public beaches between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Also in Rehoboth Beach, it is a civil offense to whisper during a church service.
Florida
Unmarried couples cannot live together or engage in lewd acts. And any man or woman (married or unmarried) who engages in public lewd acts are guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree. Unacceptable!
You can't sell your children. Darn. I'm sure there are plenty of bitter parents in Florida.
Georgia
In Coweta County, no sex toys are allowed. This ordinance bans “any device designed or marketed as useful primarily for the stimulation of human genital organs”. This could be construed to include ribbed condoms and certain lubricants.
There are tons of restrictions on alcohol pricing in Athens-Clarke County. For instance, it is illegal for bars to run “two for one” deals, where two alcoholic beverages are sold for the price of one.
In the city of Columbus, it is illegal to get a tattoo on Sunday or the Sabbath.
Hawai'i
Billboards are illegal under most circumstances. This might seem a bit unnecessary for a state where tourism is a main source of revenue, but at least this law might help preserve the islands' natural beauty.
Idaho
In the city of Eagle, it is illegal to sweep dirt from your house out onto the sidewalk or street. Thankfully, the man in this photo is in England, not Idaho, so not about to be arrested.
Illinois
In Chicago, it is illegal to manufacture or distribute marijuana-flavored candy.
Also in Chicago, if you are operating or riding in a horse-drawn carriage, you are not allowed to possess or consume any alcoholic beverages.
If you are under the age of 18 and you live in the city of Cicero, then it is illegal for you to possess a laser pointer of any kind—even the tiny keychain laser pointers.
Indiana
Men cannot be visibly aroused in public.
You can avoid paying for a dependant child's medical treatment by claiming that you prayed for the child in lieu of medical care.
Iowa
If you live in Iowa and you contract a sexually transmitted disease, your doctor must report you to the local or state public health department. The report must include your name, address, date of birth, gender, race and ethnicity, marital status, and telephone number. Additionally, the department must then use “every available means” to determine the source of your sexually transmitted disease.
Kansas
Violence against vending machines is not allowed. Even if a vending machine took your money without dispensing the appropriate snack in return, you must refrain from striking it in a fit of rage.
Kentucky
You can be fined up to $500 for possessing living baby chicks, ducklings, or rabbits that have been dyed or colored (or for dying or coloring them on your own).
Louisiana
You could spend 10 years in jail for stealing an alligator (dead or alive).
Fake wrestling or boxing matches are unlawful. If you already have a boxing or wrestling license, you will lose it.
Spectators at sporting events cannot tease or mock the contestants.
Maine
It is unlawful to post advertisements in a cemetery in the town of Wells.
Gambling at the airport in Biddeford is illegal.
Maryland
In the city of Rockville, no swearing is allowed on the highway. In a gridlock situation? Look around for law enforcement (or anyone within earshot) before you let those four-letter words fly. If you're caught, you're automatically guilty of a misdemeanor.
Massachusetts
The alcohol content in candy cannot exceed 1 percent. If you sell candy that contains syrup or liquids with more than 1 percent of alcohol, you could be fined up to $100.
Michigan
The last Sunday in June is known as Log Cabin Day.
No man may seduce or debauch an unmarried girl. If you do (or attempt to), you can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined up to $2,500.
It is illegal for cars to be sold on Sundays.
Minnesota
Driving a truck or other vehicle with dirty tires is considered a public nuisance in the city of Minnetonka.
An official statement of policy declares that mosquitoes are a public nuisance.
Mississippi
It is illegal to teach the principles of polygamy. Any individuals who teach, attempt to teach, or attempt to persuade others to adopt polygamy can be fined $500 and imprisoned for 6 months.
If you are a parent of two illegitimate children, you can be found guilty of a misdemeanor, sentenced to up to 90 days in prison, and fined $250. If you have a third illegitimate child, you can be sentenced to 6 months in prison and fined $500.
Unnatural intercourse (even between two consenting adults) is considered “a detestable and abominable crime against nature”. For engaging in unnatural intercourse, you will be imprisoned in the penitentiary for up to 10 years.
Private citizens can immediately arrest, without a warrant, anyone who disturbs a church service.
Missouri
In University City it is illegal to sell your household items in a yard sale or garage sale in front of your home.
Montana
In Billings, bands (and other forms of live entertainment) that perform in establishments that sell alcohol are not allowed to leave the stage while performing.
Also in Billings, you are not allowed to carry or use a pea shooter or slingshot within city limits. If you do, you run the risk of forfeiting the item.
Nebraska
Individuals afflicted with venereal diseases cannot marry.
Nevada
Chairs, benches, or permanent seats of any kind cannot be placed on any street, alley, or sidewalk in Reno without city council's written permission.
New Hampshire
One may not pick up seaweed at the beach between sunset and sunrise.
New Jersey
The sale of handcuffs to minors is prohibited.
New Mexico
Idiots cannot vote. In the classifications of individuals who cannot vote in New Mexico, “idiots” were listed first before insane persons and persons convicted of various crimes.
Hunting is prohibited in the Mountain View Cemetery, located in the city of Deming.
New York
No public dance shall be conducted or indulged in either in a dance hall or elsewhere within the town of Tonawanda during any hour on a Sunday.
North Carolina
Engaging in a lottery in any way can be punishable by a fine of up to $2,000. Unless the event is a “lawful raffle”, any individuals who so much as own a lottery ticket can be held accountable through this statute.
North Dakota
In the city of Devils Lake, fireworks cannot be set off after 11 p.m. So much for an exciting New Year's Eve celebration.
Ohio
No person shall be arrested during a sitting of the Senate or House of Representatives, or on a Sunday or on the fourth of July.
Oklahoma
Owners and managers of establishments that sell alcohol cannot allow patrons to simulate various acts of sexual intercourse.
Oregon
Individuals may not toss their fecal matter onto the highway. This law also applies to jars of urine. Violations are considered to be misdemeanors with a maximum fine of $250.
Pennsylvania
You cannot use dynamite or your hands to catch fish.
Rhode Island
One may not bite off another's ear. Officially, no one can purposefully “put out an eye, slit the nose, ear, or lip, or cut off, bite off, or disable any limb or member of another”. This offense is punishable by a period of imprisonment of up to 20 years.
South Carolina
If a man seduces a woman by deception (e.g. promising marriage), then he is guilty of a misdemeanor and could be sentenced to a year in prison.
South Dakota
If you own your own business and you want to take your gun to work, you don't need a license to do so.
Tennessee
No skunk importation. It is a misdemeanor to conduct any business dealings involving the importation of live skunks.
Anyone who duels or who denies the existence of God cannot hold public office.
Texas
You cannot sell your own eye. The sale of any human organs or body parts is a violation and a Class A misdemeanor.
Utah
Causing a catastrophe is a crime. Examples of catastrophes include floods and avalanches. Causing a catastrophe can be classified as a first-degree or second-degree felony, or a Class A misdemeanor.
Vermont
Vermont is worried about weapons of mass destruction. Any person who knowingly possesses, develops, manufactures, produces, transfers, acquires, or stockpiles any WMD will be imprisoned for up to 20 years and fined up to $100,000. If a person uses a WMD, he or she will be imprisoned for up to 30 years and fined $250,000.
Virginia
If you aren't married, then you aren't allowed to have sex. If you do have sex, then you are guilty of fornication and can be charged with a Class 4 misdemeanor.
Unnatural sexual intercourse is prohibited, even between consenting adults who are not related. If anyone engages in such acts, he or she is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
Washington
It is illegal to be out in public when you have a common cold. The wording of this statute suggests that by exposing the public to any disease—dangerously contagious or mildly so—you are guilty of a misdemeanor.
X-ray machines cannot be used to fit shoes.
West Virginia
It is unlawful for West Virginians to possess or display any red or black flag.
If you have ever fought in a duel with deadly weapons, or sent or accepted a challenge to do so, or acted as a second in a duel, or knowingly assisted in a duel, then you are forbidden from ever holding public office.
Wisconsin
Butter and cheese substitutes cannot be served to prison inmates.
On highways in Wisconsin, livestock have the right of way.
Wyoming
It is illegal to enter a mine while intoxicated. If you're caught drunk in a mine or sawmill, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and be fined up to $500 and imprisoned for one year.
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