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Stupid Laws by State 2024
Alabama
In Alabama, it is illegal—on top of being a bad idea—to carry an ice cream cone in your back pocket.
Alaska
Flamingos are probably not the first pet people associate with the state of Alaska, but they are directly addressed in the state’s laws. Juneau residents may not bring their pet flamingos into barber shops.
Arizona
Be polite! It is illegal to refuse a person’s request for a glass of water in the state.
Arkansas
Arkansas wants to make sure to respect the quiet of the night. Visitors to sandwich shops cannot honk their corn horns after 9 p.m.
California
While you may have never heard of frog-jumping contests, California takes them very seriously. If a frog dies during one of these competitions, it may not be eaten and must be “destroyed” as quickly as possible.
Colorado
Colorado makes it illegal to modify the weather without a permit.
Connecticut
Don’t try dumpster diving in Connecticut. It’s illegal to collect “rags, paper, glass, old metal, junk, cinder, or waste matter” unless you have obtained a special permit.
Delaware
You will receive a misdemeanor charge in the state if you are found guilty of selling, bartering, or offering the fur of a cat or dog.
Florida
People who own bars, restaurants, and other places where liquor is sold may be fined up to $1,000 if they participate in or permit any contest of “dwarf-tossing."
Georgia
Many people may want to pet or otherwise engage with llamas at fairs. However, you must be careful in Georgia, because people are responsible for llama-related injuries that occur from engaging with the animals.
Hawaii
Hawaii takes the motto “drink responsibility” very seriously. You are not allowed to have more than one alcoholic drink in front of you at one time.
Idaho
It shouldn’t need to be said, but cannibalism is a bad idea. In Idaho, it is even punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Illinois
People enjoy having aquariums in their homes, but Illinois residents need to think carefully about theirs. It is illegal under Illinois law to possess any variety of aquatic life that was captured or killed in violation of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code or whose value exceeds $600.
Indiana
Anglers in Indiana need to remember their equipment. It is illegal to catch a fish with your bare hands.
Iowa
Butter is taken very seriously in Iowa. It is a misdemeanor to present margarine as real butter.
Kansas
Don’t plan on having a drink with dinner in Kansas. It is illegal in over 25 counties to sell liquor by the glass.
Kentucky
Even man’s best friend needs to read the law in Kentucky. Dogs in the state are prohibited from chasing people or other animals.
Louisiana
As time passes, laws need to change. However, in Louisiana, jambalaya prepared in "the traditional manner" is not subject to state sanitary code.
Maine
A game within the state, Beano—which is like Bingo—is regulated within the state.
Maryland
Could anyone have predicted that fortune-telling would be illegal in the state of Maryland?
Massachusetts
Singing or playing only part of the national anthem or remixing it as dance music is punishable by a fine of not more than $100.
Michigan
Adultery is frowned upon in most states, but in Michigan it is illegal. A 1931 statute that still stands in the state makes adultery a felony.
Minnesota
It is illegal to take part in or organize a contest to capture a greased or oiled pig.
Mississippi
Watch your mouth in Mississippi! Using profanity in public could land you in jail for 30 days.
Missouri
If a bull or ram over the age of one year runs rampant for more than three days, any person may castrate the animal without assuming liability for damage.
Montana
Pet rats are illegal in Montana. Rats can only be purchased to feed birds of prey or reptile pets.
Nebraska
According to Nebraska law, no person who is afflicted with a sexually transmitted disease can marry.
Nevada
Make sure to measure your feet with the correct tools. In Nevada, using an X-ray machine to determine a person’s shoe size is not allowed.
New Hampshire
If you are a late-night beach walker, keep in mind that it is illegal to collect or carry away seaweed at night.
New Jersey
A person wearing a bulletproof vest while carrying out a grave criminal act can be charged separately for suiting up. The practical effect is more jail and fines.
New Mexico
"Idiots" could not vote in most elections. The word was historically used to describe someone mentally disabled or with an IQ below 30.
New York
You cannot be masked, in costume, or otherwise disguised when you visit public areas of the Empire State. Exceptions to this law have been made for parties and public health concerns like COVID-19.
North Carolina
Bingo! Games of Bingo sponsored by a commercial organization must last less than five hours.
North Dakota
If you want to join the North Dakota Dry Pea and Lentil Council, you must be a citizen.
Ohio
Coal mine operators must ensure that they are providing workers with an “adequate supply” of toilet paper for each toilet.
Oklahoma
McCarthyism is alive and well. A state statute still on the books says it is a "fact that there exists an international Communist conspiracy" committed to overthrowing the US government.
Oregon
Leaving a container of urine or fecal matter on the side of the road is a Class A misdemeanor.
Pennsylvania
Although there are many laws against human trafficking and to protect children, Pennsylvania clarifies that it is illegal to barter a baby.
Rhode Island
It’s unclear if it has ever happened, but biting off someone’s limb in Rhode Island will land you in prison for one to twenty years.
South Carolina
Men over the age of 16 cannot falsely promise to marry a woman as a means of seduction.
South Dakota
Make sure to stay awake if you are in a South Dakota cheese factory. It is illegal to fall asleep in one within the state.
Tennessee
While Netflix is making password-sharing more difficult, it is probably less of a problem in Tennessee. The state makes it illegal to share your Netflix password with another person.
Texas
People wishing to run for office must acknowledge the "Supreme Being." If not, they could be subjected to religious tests.
Utah
No one may hurl a missile at a bus or bus terminal—except for "peace officers" and security personnel.
Vermont
Vermont is known as a “green” state, and its laws reflect that. The legislature created a law that prohibits outlawing solar collectors and clotheslines, listing both items as "energy devices based on renewable resources.”
Virginia
Virginia is for lovers, but fornication among unmarried people is banned in the state.
Washington
Pull, don’t push. Doors to public buildings must open outwardly in the state of Washington.
West Virginia
Your ferret cannot replace your hunting dog in West Virginia. Doing so could result in a $100-$500 fine and up to 100 days in jail.
Wisconsin
The state known for its cheese wants to make sure its products are high quality. Non-tasty cheese is punishable by law in Wisconsin.
Wyoming
It's reportedly illegal to "cut, sever, detach, or mutilate" more than one-half of a sheep's ear.
State | Stupid Laws |
|---|---|
| Alabama | The use of plastic confetti is strictly prohibited. Carrying an ice cream cone in one's back pocket is illegal. |
| Alaska | A person cannot get drunk in a bar and remain on the premises. In Juneau, customers may not bring pet flamingos into barber shops. |
| Arizona | No one can feed garbage to pigs without first obtaining a permit. It is illegal to refuse a person's request for a glass of water. |
| Arkansas | A pinball machine can't give away more than 25 free games to a player who keeps winning. Visitors to sandwich shops may not honk their car horns after 9pm. |
| California | A frog that dies during a frog-jumping contest cannot be eaten and must be "destroyed" as soon as possible. |
| Colorado | You have to get a permit to modify the weather. |
| Connecticut | It is illegal to collect "rags, paper, glass, old metal, junk, cinders or other waste matter in the city" without a license |
| Delaware | It is a misdemeanor to sell, barter, or offer the fur of a domestic dog or cat |
| Florida | People who own bars, restaurants, and other places where liquor is sold may be fined up to $1,000 if they participate in or permit any contest of "dwarf-tossing." |
| Georgia | Those engaged in llama-related activities, such as riding, training, or goofing around at a county fair, are responsible for any personal injuries they suffer. Pubs and bars need to be flexible in their marketing approaches, as you are not able to run a 2-for-1 deal on any alcoholic beverages. |
| Hawaii | Billboards have no place in paradise. They're outlawed in the state with few exceptions, including notices from public offices and signs posted where goods are sold You are not allowed to have more than one alcoholic drink in front of you at one time. |
| Idaho | Cannibalism is strictly prohibited and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. |
| Illinois | It is illegal under Illinois law to possess any variety of aquatic life that was captured or killed in violation of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code or whose value exceeds $600 |
| Indiana | Liquor stores can't sell refrigerated water or soda. It is against the law to catch a fish with your bare hands. |
| Iowa | Anyone trying to pass off margarine as real butter is guilty of a misdemeanor under food-labeling laws in Iowa. |
| Kansas | It's illegal to sell liquor by the glass in over 25 counties across Kansas, which repealed prohibition a full 15 years after Congress. |
| Kentucky | Every legislator, public officer, and lawyer must take an oath stating that they have not fought a duel with deadly weapons. Dogs are prohibited from chasing people or other animals and pets |
| Louisiana | Jambalaya prepared in "the traditional manner" is not subject to state sanitary code. |
| Maine | A game of chance called Beano (like Bingo) is regulated here. |
| Maryland | Fortune telling is illegal. |
| Massachusetts | Singing or playing only part of the national anthem or remixing it as dance music is punishable by a fine of not more than $100. |
| Michigan | A statute on the books since 1931 makes adultery a felony in this state. |
| Minnesota | Any contest in which participants try to capture a greased or oiled pig is illegal. |
| Mississippi | Profanity in public could land a person in jail for up to 30 days. |
| Missouri | If a bull or ram over the age of one year runs rampant for more than three days, any person may castrate the animal without assuming liability for damage. |
| Montana | Driving animals onto a railroad track with intent to injure the train can result in a fine. Pet rats are illegal there unless they have been purchased to feed birds of prey or reptiles. |
| Nebraska | No person who is afflicted with a sexually transmitted disease can marry. |
| Nevada | Using an X-ray machine to determine a person's shoe size is not allowed. |
| New Hampshire | It's illegal to carry away or collect seaweed at night. |
| New Jersey | A person wearing a bullet-proof vest while carrying out a grave criminal act can be charged separately for suiting up. The practical effect is more jail and fines. |
| New Mexico | "Idiots" could not vote in most elections. The word was historically used to describe someone mentally disabled or with an IQ below 30. |
| New York | The Empire State bans being masked or in any manner disguised in public with other people dressed similarly. Exceptions are made for parties and situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. |
| North Carolina | A bingo game being conducted or sponsored by a commercial organization may not last more than five hours. |
| North Dakota | All members of North Dakota's Dry Pea and Lentil Council must be citizens. |
| Ohio | Every operator of an underground coal mine must provide an "adequate supply" of toilet paper with each toilet. |
| Oklahoma | McCarthyism is alive and well. A state statute still on the books says it is a "fact that there exists an international Communist conspiracy" committed to overthrowing the US government. |
| Oregon | Leaving a container of urine or fecal matter on the side of the road is a Class A misdemeanor. |
| Pennsylvania | Human trafficking, in general, violates too many international laws to count, but Pennsylvania felt the need to specify under the law that you can't barter a baby. |
| Rhode Island | Someone who bites off another person's limb will face no more than 20 years in prison but no less than one. |
| South Carolina | A male over the age of 16 can't seduce a woman by falsely promising to marry her. |
| South Dakota | Liquor stores can't sell alcoholic candy containing more than .5% alcohol by weight. It is illegal to fall asleep in a cheese factory. |
| Tennessee | You can't hunt, trap, or intentionally harm an albino deer. It is illegal to share your Netflix password with other people. |
| Texas | People wishing to run for office must acknowledge the "Supreme Being." If not, they could be subjected to religious tests. |
| Utah | No one may hurl a missile at a bus or bus terminal—except for "peace officers" and security personnel. |
| Vermont | The legislature created a law that prohibits outlawing solar collectors and clotheslines, listing both items as "energy devices based on renewable resources." |
| Virginia | Fornication among unmarried people is banned. |
| Washington | Doors to nearly all public buildings must open outwardly. |
| West Virginia | Anyone who hunts, catches, takes, kills, injures, or pursues a wild animal or bird with a ferret rather than a hunting dog will face a fine of no less than $100 (but no more than $500) and up to 100 days in jail. |
| Wisconsin | Non-tasty cheese is technically punishable by law. |
| Wyoming | It's reportedly illegal to "cut, sever, detach, or mutilate" more than one-half of a sheep's ear. |