The Most Ridiculous Fines in the US
Society functions on a set of rules and regulations that are typically designed for our benefit and well-being as a community – whether we like them or not, laws are in place to promote the greater good. However, every so often a nit-picky law is put in place that makes little sense to the greater public concern.
Sunday No Fun Day (Alabama)
no cards on Sunday
no cards on Sunday
(source)
Deep in the Bible Belt you’ll find that the Sabbath is to be kept holy – enforced by church and state. “Playing games” such as cards and dominoes on Sundays will land you a minimum fine somewhere between $10 and $100.
Flirting in the City (New York)
no flirting in the city
no flirting in the city
(source)
When a beautiful woman walks by in New York, keep your eyes forward. There is a law that prohibits men from turning around on any street and looking at a woman “in that way.” The first violation will cost you $25; the second will result in having to wear horse blinders for correctional purposes.
Taking Alligators (Louisiana)
taking alligators
taking alligators
(source)
Deep in Louisiana Gator Country, you can receive up to 10 years in jail and/or $3,000 fine for taking an alligator from the wild. Depending on the value of the reptile, you’re looking at 2-year minimum sentence. It seems wrestling a wild gator would be punishment enough.
Rats and Baseball Bats (Illinois)
rats and baseball bats
rats and baseball bats
(source)
Most humans shudder when faced with rat infestation and would use any household object they can find to aid in shoeing them off. In Illinois however, don’t reach for the Louisville Slugger; there is a $1,000 fine for beating rats with baseball bats.
Harassing Dogs (Ohio)
harassing dogs
harassing dogs
(source)
If you live in Eastlake, Ohio and feel the need to pester an innocent dog, you’ll want to resist the urge. It’s amazing that this law ever even had to be penned, but still, the inappropriate act will hit you with a fine of $25 or 10 days in jail.
Goth Suicide (California)
cutting wrists in black
cutting wrists in black
(source)
The great state of California has declared it illegal to wear any shade of black while cutting your wrists. While most states found it suitable to call the general act of suicide illegal, California defines what not to wear while doing so and charges violators a minimum fine of $8000 and/or a maximum of 5 years in jail.
Throwing Tomatoes (Kentucky)
throwing tomatoes
throwing tomatoes
(source)
Touring politicians can breathe a sigh of relief when visiting Kentucky because throwing tomatoes at a public speaker is a punishable offense. Though it’s considered a dying art, hurling fruit at an ill-favored speaker can land you up to one year in jail.
Red and Black Flags (West Virginia)
red and black flags
red and black flags
(source)
The Constitution allows everyone to worship as they please as long as it doesn’t involve red and black flags. West Virginia state code forbids the possession or display of any and all red or black flags with potential fines resulting between $100 and $500. Stick with stars and stripes.
Nuclear Detonation (California)
nuclear detonation
nuclear detonation
(source)
If there was an eleventh commandment, it would say Though shalt not detonate a nuclear device. Some laws seem self-evident but in Chico, California, it’s written as illegal to detonate a nuclear device within city limits under penalty of a $500 fine. If detonation is successful, who’s issuing this fine?
No Dog Mating (California)
no dog mating
no dog mating
(source)
Mating is an innate animal instinct that perpetuates the circle of life but California has declared it a crime for dogs to mate within 500 yards of a church. Owners found enabling such lewd acts are punishable by law at a fine of $500 and/or six months in prison.
Christmas Lights (San Diego)
christmas lights
christmas lights
(source)
What should be simple neighborly etiquette is actually written in San Diego city law: Christmas lights posted on houses past February 2nd will result in a fine to the home owner of up to $250. No more waiting until you cross the six month barrier and saying that you just put them up early.
Mispronouncing Joliet (Illinois)
joliet, IL
joliet, IL
(source)
In small town Joliet, IL the powers-that-be are rather particular about the pronunciation of their fair city. Local folks know it to be JOE-LEE-ETT but unknowing outsiders caught pronouncing it JOLLY-ETTE are slapped with a $5 fee for their ignorance.
Puppet Shows (Indiana)
puppet shows
puppet shows
(source)
Mr. Rogers would be a multiple-felon if he were from Indiana. Any person that collects money for hosting a puppet show, wire dancing and/or tumbling act is in violation of the Act to Prevent Certain Immoral Practices and is therefore subject to a whopping $3 fine for their transgressions.
Sleeveless Shirt in Parks (Maryland)
sleeveless shirts
sleeveless shirts
(source)
The state of Maryland has found it necessary to outlaw sleeveless shirts in public parks. Any individual in violation of this statute of modesty is subject to a $10 fine and a scarlet letter.
Salt on the Railroad Track (Alabama)
salting train tracks
salting train tracks
(source)
In an effort to extend the life of the tracks and the soil that surrounds the ties, the state of Alabama has made a law that forbids one from putting salt on the local train tracks. Though the law was written way back when, to this day it remains, the violation is punishable by death.
Why are all the dumbest laws in California?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mani Karthik and Forrest Kobayashi, Michael Sarles. Michael Sarles said: RT @forrestfanatic: The Most Ridiculous Fines in the United States — http://bit.ly/1LZxjn [...]
Two of these are from the state of Alabama. I’m so ashamed to call this state home. Salting railroad tracks is punishable by death. Wow.
How about we keep this real, like $90 for running a stop sign on an empty road in the middle of the night?
haha oh man. this list was hilarious. thanks for posting.
Joliet. Hah. I say it like JOY-LET. you know, like toilet. Because that’s what it is, a place for turds.
[...] On 16 Oct 2009 under journal http://heralddaily.com/2009/10/09/the-most-ridiculous-fines-in-the-us/ [...]
Those are some of the most ridiculous things that I’ve ever heard. And to think that they are actual laws somewhere; give me a break.
[...] Relationships in Movie History 5 Authors More Badass Than The Badass Character They Created The Most Ridiculous Fines in the US Albino Animals Slideshow Tagged and categorized as: News , Today’s Top 7 Reads From Elsewhere [...]
Re: “taking alligators” FYI, “taking” is how almost all wildlife management agencies describe poaching, harassing, disturbing or otherwise illegally bothering any wildlife. It’s a catch-all term that really means don’t mess with the wildlife, don’t harvest it out of season, don’t steal parts of its nest or its babies – just leave it alone. It’s a lot easier to write “don’t take” than all that stuff I just spelled out.
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
Liked the one about nuclear detonation, probably just because I live in Chico. Haha.
thank you, very interesting idea
Someone dropped a link to your site on Facebook and that’s where I first found your site. I Love the content I’ve seen so far and will absolutely return to read more later. By the way, are you on Facebook? We should connect.