The Metropolitan Police Act of 1839 also states that a person is not allowed to sing any profane, indecent, or obscene song or ballad, or use any profane, indecent or obscene language to the annoyance of the inhabitants or passengers. Perhaps this is one section that should be enforced more rigorously today. Australia has some very strange laws that are still in effect. Despite the weird nature of these laws, you should remember that they are still crimes punishable by both fines and, in some cases, jail time. For a little more amusement, here are 11 more crazy, outdated laws in Oklahoma that will have you scratching your head: Were aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. There are all sorts of wacky laws in the U.S. regulating what people can and cannot do on Sunday. It's hard to imagine that a city once run by the Outlaw Josey Wales would be overly regulated. When in Gainesville, Ga., keep fried chicken away from this implement of doom. __Tell me readers; have you broken any of these strange laws? Sept. 27, 2012 (Oct. 19, 2012) http://la-legal.com/legislature-deems-pro-wrestling-a-sham, Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. And we're not just talking about the number of elements on a chip. Enacted in 1961 as a PR stunt to promote Gainesville as a beacon of poultrydom, the law still remains on the books. Charles Petran. Complex.com. Make a payment. If you come before a judge for one of these violations, he may be tempted to laugh you out of court. 1961 (Oct. 19, 2012) http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/alcode/11/2/46/2/11-46-42, Alabama Code Section 13A-12-1. Laws exist to help protect citizens and keep everyones rights safe. Aboriginal payback we have long been calling for outdated australian laws to Australia 's outdated defamation laws those. The fact remains that people approach life on their own sweet time below the Mason-Dixon line. Ralph Northam tasked with researching racist laws from the state's past found that there are severalpieces of legislation that are outdated Here are my top 12 strange, hilarious, and just plain messed-up Florida laws! In Virginia, it is illegal to have sex with the lights on. 9 Sharing Your Password. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that youve provided to them or that theyve collected from your use of their services. 9 outdated Michigan laws the Legislature is working to repeal, and others still on the books. The laws The U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1984 will come up a couple of times here. Further reading for all you law abiding citizens. Surprisingly, many auto dealers are in favor of this ban, as it gives them a break from the relentless competition among each other [source: Newman]. 1. Davis made national news when she ordered a dozen black children to the back of her school bus. But But that doesnt mean theyre not still laws and law enforcement and the judiciary can still enforce them. City of Beacon, NY, enforces archaic law outlawing pinball, closes retro arcade." *Connorsville, Wisconsin prohibits a man from shooting off a gun while his female partner is having an orgasm. Coming up with a list of 10 most the most archaic laws still in effect is no problem. *In Maryland and Minnesota, oral sex cannot be given or received anywhere. http://www.866ourvote.org/state/materials/AL-FAQ-2012-FINAL-1.pdf, Lewis v. City of New Orleans, 415 U.S. 130 (1974) (Oct. 19, 2012) http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=18175123570584658019&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr, Maine Revised Statutes, Title 17, Chapter 105, Section 3203. Originally, Moore's Law covered a pretty specific concept: the number of discrete components on a newly manufactured integrated circuit doubles every 12 months. Those under 21 can drink legally, but they must be Weird though some of its laws may be, Arkansas can't hold a candle to Tennessee, where it is still legal to gather and consume road kill.While road kill-consumption makes a certain amount of sense in mountain man country, another alleged old law Shooting, hunting, gaming and racing are also prohibited and carry a fine of $10 to $100. However, there is some talk among lawmakers to take it off the books. 4. "Carmel Mythbusters." We've all heard of those super obscure and outdated laws that are inexplicably still in effect. Heres my experience. The good folks over at Olivet Nazarene University put together an infographic of some of the most outrageous, confusing and downright weird legislation instilled around our great nation. These laws are grossly outdated. Restrictions on things like arcade games, fake wrestling matches and card dealing may have been less offensive to the "Civil Disobedience" author, but that doesn't make them any less arcane and, in some cases, ridiculous. The heroes who brave fiery flames in the Big Easy may appear to be grizzled, rough-and-tumble professionals, but deep down inside they have the sensibilities of a delicate flower. Blasphemy laws used to be very common in the United States, but there are still some in existence, including in Michigan, where cursing God is a G**-d*** misdemeanor. Speed limits and traffic laws regulate the manner in which we drive. Like, lets say, outdated laws in the US that are still in effect because nobody cared to annul them. (Oct. 19, 2012) http://www.itislaw.com/NLLXML/getcode.asp?datatype=S&codesec=40-6-324&statecd=GA&sessionyr=2012&TOCId=18860&userid=PRODSG&cvfilename=&docname=&Interface=NLL&noheader=1, Cosme, Shante. First of all, they create a bloated and confusing collection of governing statutes. Aug. 12, 2010 (Oct. 19, 2012) http://boingboing.net/2010/08/12/city-of-beacon-ny-en.html, Grischy, Janet. Nov. 6, 2008. Today, these outdated laws may seem just plain wacky to us but at some point they were very important. Actually, this absurd Pennsylvania law is technically still on the books. Keep in mind that many of these laws may have fallen off the books years ago or perhaps were nullified by new sets of laws that are more modern. "The 8 Dumbest Restaurant Laws." *But Texas is a bit more lenient, you can have up to six before felony charges are presented. They are a dangerous warning that at least part of that racial past is still alive and well and continues to impact law and public policy in many states. But some laws just make you scratch your head. Perhaps the deep and nearly unquenchable thirst brought on by a sack of sourdough knots caused one patron too many to overdo it on the Stroh's Light. In 2009, a 91-year-old woman who was "arrested" for consuming fried chicken with a fork was pardoned moments later by Gainesville's mayor, on hand as part of a practical joke [source: Jordan]. Outdated laws have real consequences for society. After spending quite some time researchingand laughingI'm excited to share my findings. The colonel fried his birds in Kentucky. Sept. 7, 2010 (Oct. 19, 2012) http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/09/07/carmel-mythbusters/, Jordan, Jessica. The list of vocations for which parents may not rent out their minor children ages 12 and younger in Georgia includes gymnast, contortionist, circus rider and acrobat, as well as clown and wire walker. Those sexy stillettos could get you a ticket in Carmel, Calif. Grandma could be a dangerous criminal if she keeps playing cards on Sunday in Alabama. So cooing about switching laundry detergents is fair game, right? "The 10 Most Ridiculous U.S. I guess some of the old rules are so ridiculous and so outdated that they didnt feel a need to change those laws. Being the avid outdoorsmen that they are, lawmakers in the Pine Tree State make an exception for motor home sales, which are perfectly legal seven days a week [source: Maine Revised Statutes]. Weve rounded up some of the weirdest Australian laws that still exist today. 30 Outdated laws in the US Im talking about completely silly laws that no one follows and no one cares about, but still somehow have a spot in the record books. To revisit this article, visit My Profile, thenView saved stories. Perhaps in the old days, it was a common way to get rid of some of your unwanted children. Photo: Jupiter Images. That hasn't stopped lawmakers in Beacon, N.Y., from banning the once popular arcade game within city limits. *In Tremonton, Utah, a woman cannot have sex while in an ambulance. And while these laws may never be enforced, they are still legally valid because no one has bothered to repeal them. In the Peach State, it's the law. (Oct. 24, 2012) http://statutes.laws.com/georgia/title-17/chapter-10/article-1/17-10-3, Code of Georgia Section 39-2-17. "Car Dealers, Believing in a Day of Rest, Still Renounce Sunday Sales". They are not too keen on shysters who sell cars on Sunday. He cannot be not under and under one and the same thing. So let the piggy-back ride haters rejoice and be careful about where you store your ice cream cones because were about to take a look at some of Georgias most bizarre laws The "sport" of pro wrestling was illegal within state lines under a law banning boxing and wrestling events that are "sham or fake contests or exhibitions." July 20, 2009 (Oct. 19, 2012) http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/archives/21373, LaLegal.com. June 23, 2012 (Oct. 12, 2012) http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/06/the-10-most-ridiculous-united-states-laws/beer-pretzels-north-dakota-law, Fraunfelder, Mark. " But what about the law that focus on the sexier things This is largely a reflection of the nation's Puritan roots. *In Arizona, you may not have more than two sexual toys in your home. Although the act was an important achievement that dramatically reduced abortion related mortality, UK abortion law is now outdated, not evidence based, and prevents best practice. And confusion is the enemy of the law-abiding citizen, for how can someone obey the law of the land when its impossible to pin down whats okay and whats not? Laws." In fact, Pennsylvania is not alone. By Jonathan Oosting | joosting@mlive.com. When in drought dont try to make man-made rain clouds. Even so, most of these outdated British old laws still in effect today, defy belief and logic. Check it out below, and get your donkey out of the tub! You cant throw things at bicyclists. Japans rape laws were enacted in 1907 and were finally changed in 2017. Ralph Northam tasked with researching racist laws from the state's past found that there are severalpieces of legislation that are outdated "Number of Electors Allowed in the Polling Place; Time Limit, Etc. Sign up for Glamour.com's Style Tips of the Week and Beauty Tip of the Day newsletters! Some are just outdated, others are simply funny and a few make you wonder what kind of people created them in the first place. My favourites. A strident abolitionist and sworn enemy of the tax man, he was probably referring to slavery and excise laws. In fact, Pennsylvania is not alone. 1974 (Oct. 19, 2012) http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientID=10040&stateID=18&statename=Louisiana, Newman, Barry. boingboing.com. Worse, you could be imprisoned or sentenced to hard labor for no more than three months for any of these "immoral" acts [source: Justia]. The known and unknown Jim Crow laws that are still on the books, and the reluctance, refusal, and downright resistance of state legislators and many voters to dump them are more than a hideous reminder of America's shameful racial past. Personal injury laws may seem like they are intended to pad the pockets of doctors, lawyers and insurance companies but most were intended to protect people in the event of an accident. In the Criminal Code, under Section 365, it reads it is illegal to: fraudulently pretend to exercise or to use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, Under Title 17, Section 3203 of the state code, the sale of cars and other motor vehicles on Sunday is strictly prohibited. But what we found when looking at these examples, is that many either never existed or cannot be proven to have existed without searching through old, dusty print archives and In Alabama, for example, it's a criminal "offense against public health and morals" to engage in a whole host of activities on Sunday, including playing cards. Tennessee Laws Out-Weird Arkansas . Who would want to curse at New Orleans' finest? You have to come up for air at some point, right? A Gainesville, Ga, ordinance makes it illegal to consume fried chicken any way other than by hand. But Carmel, Calif., where Clint Eastwood served as mayor from 1986 to 1988, is home to a number of unusual laws, including a ban on high heels. We live in a world of laws. 1 Corinthians 9:21 he says he is under the law (of Christ). Let's hope they already had the ballot mentally filled out. "Any fool can make a rule, and any fool will mind it," Henry David Thoreau once said. Popeye's chicken and biscuits were born and bred in New Orleans. The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. AUSTRALIA is home to some of the weirdest laws in the world and some sound too bizarre to possibly be true. A Petrolia city rep says this unusual law simply aims to limit excessive noise between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., but according to Article 3, 772.3.6 on the towns website, Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing is prohibited at all times. Keep your enthusiasm to yourself, folks. It is also illegal to keep a pigsty in front of your house, unless 'duly hidden', and to be intoxicated in charge of a horse or cow. Its against the law for anyone 15 or younger to loiter in a public place without supervision of a parent or guardian between 12:01 a.m. and 6 a.m. Take that, whippersnappers! Section 74-2 of the New Orleans City Code states "It shall be unlawful and a breach of the peace for any person wantonly to curse or revile or to use obscene or opprobrious language toward or with reference to any member of the city fire department while in the actual performance of his duty." Netflix's 'The Upshaws' rejects the outdated Cosby would rant about Black women's supposed promiscuousness and the vulgarity of hip-hop culture and its supposed effect on Still All rights reserved. Boom, baby! Updated May 21, 2019; Posted Aug 20, 2015. A ban on 'backless' booster seats and new tougher penalties on mobile phone use while driving were introduced last year. Whatever the reason, do not expect to enjoy a cold one with a pack of Rold Golds the next time you're bar hopping in Fargo [sources: Cosme, Rothschild]. Strange Law 5: In Prince William County, Virginia, it is illegal for a motorist to park their vehicle on a set of railroad tracks. CTVNews.ca Staff Published Friday, August 4, Something can be struck from the laws when we decide its a little outdated. The good people of North Dakota, however, didn't get that memo. Log in or register. Today I decided to bring them to you, so you can have a good laugh. 9 outdated Michigan laws the Legislature is working to repeal, and others still on the books Updated May 21, 2019; Posted Aug 20, 2015 By Jonathan Oosting | joosting@mlive.com Julian Morrow and Justine Rogers outline some of the outdated lawscomical and detrimentalthat still exist in Australia. Gainesville Times. Aug. 16, 2011. But once little Johnny turns the big 1-3, feel free to ship him off to a career as trapeze swinger or carnival barker. How long does a copyright last? A few weeks back, a friend and I got to talking about wacky sex and relationship laws that are still on the books. Heres just a handful of some of the funniest ones that are still in place today. But what about the law that focus on the sexier things in life? Same-sex marriage is now legal in Mexico City. Folks tend to move at a slower pace down South. These weird laws existed for a time on Arkansas law books and are pretty humorous compared to today's standards. If you find yourself on the wrong side of these laws, make sure to speak with an experienced attorney immediately. However, not all laws make complete sense, and every state has a few statutes on the books that are puzzling or simply outdated. Most of these laws are so old, lawmakers probably arent even aware that the majority exist. You are aware of some weird laws still in effect in your country or state feel free to us. By Earl Ofari Hutchinson. As of 1839, it has also been against the law The prohibition on pumps was enacted in an effort to limit the city's liability for trip and fall accidents by people traversing Carmel's jagged streets in stilettos. 31 Strange But True Laws Still On The Books. Image used for illustrative purposes only. If you look hard enough, each state has its own collection of outdated, silly laws. The legal highway may lead by pointing towards the direction of justice, but the road is definitely littered with outdated laws and statutes that serve no use other than to confound and confuse. Is there something diabolical about buying cars on Sundays (apart from the shady salesmen)? Voters who need assistance can get additional time, but it's probably a good idea to make up your mind about that hotly contested county animal control board race before stepping into the booth [source: Alabama Code; Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights]. Outdated Cannabis Laws are still Impacting Lives In some states, getting arrested for marijuana in 2020 is more trouble than youd think. Even so, these laws are still legally valid, simply because no ones repealed them.