Frequently Asked Questions Understanding Parole Rights of Crime Victims Searches & Seizures: The limitations of the Police What is a search warrant? When do the police need a warrant to make an arrest? When can a defendant win an acquittal on grounds of insanity? Who decides how the criminal justice system works? Answers to Common Questions about DUI/DWI Strange But True Laws Jails and Prisons Chronology: The Arrest Process If I do not have any witnesses who will testify on my behalf, can I still win at trial? Wouldn't longer sentences mean less overall crime? Is there a way to punish a criminal before he actually commits the crime he is planning? Are all illegal drugs treated equally when it comes to punishing drug dealers? Can a person be guilty of drunk driving if he only had one drink? What is the role of the federal government in criminal law? Are grand jury proceedings secret? Are there special crimes to control children's behavior? What is the difference between probation and parole? How does a district attorney decide which criminals to charge?

Strange But True Laws

Most Americans have a general understanding of what constitutes a crime. However, there are a host of "strange but true" laws which exist in states, cities, and towns across America which may come as a shock to most people. While some of these laws have been taken off the books, and are therefore no longer considered a crime, in other cases, these laws remain in statutes or codes, but have lain dormant and have not been enforced for years. By all means, the following are intended to be only a representative sample of strange laws . . . there are plenty more of them out there, so be on your guard!

• It is against the law to hunt for camels in Arizona.
  
  
• If you slap a man on the back in Georgia, you have broken the law.
  
  
• In Detroit, Michigan, it is against the law to sit in the middle of a street and read a newspaper.
  
  
• Boston, Massachusetts, once had a law which made it illegal to bathe more than one time per week.
  
  
• Dancing cheek-to-cheek is prohibited in Compton, California.
  
  
• In Oklahoma, you can be fined, arrested, or jailed for making ugly faces at a dog.
  
  
• In Memphis, Tennessee, it is against the law to sell teddy bears or yo-yo's on Sundays.
  
  
• A state law in South Carolina forbids people from crawling in public sewers without a permit.
  
  
• In Wyoming, women are required to stand five feet away from the bar while drinking.
  
  
• In Lake Charles, Louisiana, you can be cited if you allow a rain puddle to remain in your yard for more than twelve hours.
  
  
• You may not use a mule while hunting for ducks in Kansas.
  
  
• If you use a bean-shooter in Arkansas, you can be charged with a misdemeanor.
  
  
• At one time in Kansas, it was against the law for restaurants to serve cherry pie with ice cream.
  
  
• In Alabama, it is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
  
  
• A Connecticut law prohibits people from walking across a street on their hands.
  
  
• Men, in Florida, are prohibited from being seen in public in any type of strapless gown.
  
  
• In Iowa, kisses may last for as much as, but no longer than, five minutes.
  
  
• Mourners at a wake in Massachusetts may eat no more than three sandwiches apiece.
  
  
• Beer and pretzels may not be served at the same time in any restaurant or bar in North Dakota.
  
  
• In Florida, beauty shop patrons, as well as the shop owner, can be fined if they fall asleep under a hair dryer.
  
  
• It is against the law to lasso catfish in Tennessee.
  
  
• In King County, Washington, it is illegal for any woman to sit on a man's lap on a bus unless they are married.

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Colorado Drunk Driving Defense Attorney Disclaimer: The legal information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice, nor the formation of a lawyer or attorney client relationship. Any results set forth herein are based upon the facts of that particular case and do not represent a promise or guarantee. Please contact a criminal attorney for a consultation on your particular legal matter. This web site is not intended to solicit clients for matters outside of the state of Colorado.