There are a ton of laws in America — some of them obvious, some of them not so obvious. While in some states you can own your very own flamethrower, in others, you could go to jail for playing a night round of frisbee golf.
In some cases, you could get fined — or worse — for some of the most mundane, or silly, things. Check out these weird fines in states across America.
Related: These wild historic facts sound fake but aren’t
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Alabama
Ready to party in Mobile? Be careful how you celebrate: It’s illegal for anyone to “to have in possession, manufacture, or handle any confetti.” Violations can result in a fine of more than $100.
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Alaska
In Fairbanks, it’s illegal to give a moose alcoholic beverages. Who knows what damage a drunk moose could cause.
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Arizona
Fortune telling and palmistry for money are misdemeanors in Avondale, which comes with a $500 fine. Something else that will get you in trouble? Practicing hypnotism (unless you’re a doctor).
Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz.
Arkansas
If you’re looking for a late-night snack, keep it down in Little Rock. It’s illegal to honk your car horn after 9 p.m. at “any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served.” Violating it can cost up to $1,000 – that’s an expensive sandwich.
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California
Setting up a cat trap on your property is illegal in Riverside County unless you have a sign that’s visible from the road saying the trap is in place. Not doing so can cost you $100 for a first offense. (Side note: If you catch a lactating cat, you have to immediately release it.)
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Colorado
In Denver, it’s illegal for “any person to frequent or loiter in any … establishment where intoxicants are sold for the purpose of … soliciting another person to purchase drinks.” If you’re caught and fined, your free drink might not be so free. If you need to save this bad, consider cutting back on the drinks.
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Connecticut
The stakes are high when you’re gambling, but you may want to reconsider your strategy next time you’re at the Blackjack table. If you’re caught cheating in Connecticut, it is considered a class D felony.
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Delaware
Looking to spend an evening at the local drive-in theater? In Delaware, you have to keep it family friendly. R-rated movies aren’t allowed to be shown in drive-in theaters.
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Florida
If you’re thinking of playing a practical joke, you may want to think again. Theft of livestock and beehives have increased over the years and is considered grand theft of the third degree and a felony of the third degree.
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Georgia
Per Georgia law, anyone who sponsors or operates any activities with llamas are not liable if you get injured or die.
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Hawaii
You should always buckle up when you’re in a car. In Hawaii — and most places for that matter — you can’t legally ride in the backseat without a seat belt. But if you’re over the age of 13, you can casually ride in a truck bed with no safety equipment.
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Idaho
You can face up to six months in jail for selling “Idaho Deluxe” potatoes with rot, blemishes or sun damage (based on a percentage on the container).
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Illinois
A person with a permanent disability is allowed to own a capuchin monkey to assist him or her in performing daily tasks. However, you can be fined up to $2,500 or go to jail (Class C misdemeanor) for possessing a leopard, ocelot, mountain lion, hyena or bear.
Image Credit: Cameris.
Indiana
Don’t try and flirt your way into a free drink — bartenders can receive a Class B misdemeanor if they serve a drink on the house. According to the law, alcohol sellers are not allowed to “discriminate” between customers by offering one drink at a different price. Class B misdemeanors carry up to a $1,500 fine or jail time.
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Iowa
In Marshalltown, you’re prohibited from displaying a poster or sign containing the word “saloon,” even if you’re the owner of one. Terms including bar and barroom are also prohibited.
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Kansas
In Wichita, you’re prohibited from owning more than two pet rabbits without a permit. In Lawrence, you’re allowed up to three. But in Topeka, there’s no limit on the number of rabbits you can have. Want to keep your furry friends safe from more than just the law? Consider pet insurance.
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Kentucky
You’re not allowed to display, handle or use a reptile during a religious service. That means no alligators (or lizards, snakes, turtles or tuataras) at church or else you could face as much as a $100 fine.
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Louisiana
It’s illegal to go to a boxing match and make “insulting or abusive” remarks at the fighters. Did your guy just take an uppercut to the chin? Keep it polite — you can yell until you’re hoarse, but make sure it’s constructive criticism.
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Maine
While it’s not illegal to get into the Christmas spirit, keep those decorations up too long — past Jan. 14 — and you could receive a fine.
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Maryland
In Rockville, it’s a misdemeanor to use profane language on a street, sidewalk or highway, so you better find a better way to let out that road rage — safely.
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Massachusetts
Put down the cordial cherries, and nobody gets hurt. In Massachusetts, it’s illegal to sell candies that contain syrup with more than 1% of alcohol.
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Michigan
In Clawson, farmers are allowed to sleep in bed with their pigs, cows, horses, goats and chickens. Looks like it may be a full house tonight!
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Minnesota
In Minneapolis, you may find yourself fighting for a parking space even if your own driveway has plenty of room — only two vehicles can be parked on any property at one time.
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Mississippi
In Mississippi, church is taken is very seriously — anyone disturbing a service can be arrested immediately by any officer or “any private person.”
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Missouri
The word “meat” can’t be used to describe anything but animal flesh in Missouri — which means that fake meat and lab-grown meat have to be called something else in the state.
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Montana
Remember that game bros played in college? “Folf” or “disc golf” or “Frisbee golf?” It’s apparently so rampant in Helena that the city banned anyone from playing after 8 p.m., unless they’re on a designated golf course, lest they face a $500 fine or up to six months in jail.
Image Credit: SDAM.
Nebraska
Drivers could get ticketed if they don’t stay to the right when driving through a canyon or over a mountain. Sounds reasonable, but have you seen Nebraska? The highest place in the state is Panorama Point. Google it and you will know the meaning of “flat.”
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Nevada
Next time you decide to take your camel for a joy ride, think again. Riding a camel on the highway is illegal across the state.
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New Hampshire
Anyone caught collecting seaweed from the seashore after dark will also get a fine. Seek seaweed during the day — at least you can see.
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New Jersey
New Jersey law requires drivers to honk every time they pass another vehicle. People honk for many reasons in New Jersey, but in this case, it could result in a ticket.
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New Mexico
If you start to sing the national or state anthems in New Mexico, you’d better finish it. Anyone who doesn’t sing, play or render the anthem as “an entire or separate composition or number” is guilty of a petty misdemeanor, worth up to a $500 fine.
Image Credit: DeanDrobot.
New York
While a bit a friendly competition is always fun, it’s illegal in New York State to throw a ball at someone else’s head for fun.
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North Carolina
Have you ever wanted to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for “longest bingo game”? Well, you may have a tough time accomplishing that feat in North Carolina, where the law limits bingo games to under five hours per session.
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North Dakota
Your dogs probably love this law! Your pyromaniac nephew? Not so much. In Devil’s Lake, it’s illegal to light off any fireworks outside the hours of 8 A.M. and 11 P.M. Let’s just say that the 4th of July isn’t very “lit” here.
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Ohio
Apparently the people of Akron got a little too creative with the poultry, because dyeing chickens different colors became such a big thing there that the city finally clamped down and made it illegal to sell the poor colorful chicks.
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Oklahoma
Hungry? Get your own food. Oklahoma prohibits anyone taking a bite out of someone else’s hamburger.
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Oregon
Don’t think about hunting in a cemetery — that’s illegal here (and just rude).
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Pennsylvania
Fishermen in Pennsylvania may be out of luck if they forget their fishing poles, because it’s illegal to use your hands, mouth and sticks of dynamite to catch (or annihilate) aquatic friends.
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Rhode Island
No one may bite off someone’s leg. Yes, that’s a real law. If you break this one, you are looking at least one year in jail, with the potential of up to 20 years.
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South Carolina
Sorry, minors. According to South Carolina law, it is illegal for anyone younger than 18 to play pinball.
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South Dakota
Somehow it is unlawful for people in Huron to cause static between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
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Tennessee
It’s illegal in Knoxville to advertise fortune telling and will result in a $119.50 fine. But you probably already knew that.
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Texas
There are plenty of side hustles out there. But in Texas, it’s illegal to sell one’s eye for money.
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Utah
Utah has a long list of strange liquor laws, but those aren’t the only beverage rules Utahns have to worry about. Places that unfairly discriminate in the purchase of milk, cream or butterfat are committing a crime.
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Vermont
The strangest fine in Vermont we could substantiate: It’s illegal to prohibit people from putting up clotheslines. The state wanted to get ahead of landlords and Homeowner Associations standing in the way of renewable energy sources.
Image Credit: Ramon Portelli .
Virginia
Keeping a skunk as a pet can cost you up to $500. Side note: Don’t keep a skunk as a pet.
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Washington
Do not kill, harm or harass “Sasquatch,” “Yeti,” “Bigfoot” or “Giant Hairy Ape” in Washington, lest you incur an up to $1,000 fine or spend one year in prison.
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Washington, D.C.
Come to the nation’s capital to see the sights, but take your dancing shoes elsewhere. It’s illegal to dance within the Jefferson Memorial — and you can’t dance for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period.
Image Credit: depositphotos.com.
West Virginia
While there are likely better ways to get dinner, roadkill can legally be taken home for dinner in the state of West Virginia.
Image Credit: DepositPhotos.com.
Wisconsin
The Badger state has a lot of butter laws — yes, butter — on the books. Serve margarine instead of butter to restaurant guests unprompted and you can get fined between $100 to $500 or imprisoned for up to three months. Penalties are stricter for second offenders.
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Wyoming
Under the state’s fence laws, residents can get fined up to $750 if they open and neglect to close a gate or replace bars in a fence that crosses a private road or a river, stream or ditch.
This article was published with permission from Policygenius
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