The Unreal Universe
A Book on Physics and Philosophy

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Pages: 292 (282 in eBook) Trimsize: 6" x 9" Illustrations: 34 (9 in color in eBook) Tables: 8 Bibliography: Yes Index: Yes ISBN: 9789810575946

In this special series on the Stupid Patrol we are bringing you the truly stupid laws that exist in the USA, and around the world.

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Maryland

A Remarkable Book from Wiley-Finance

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"An excellent book!"   — Paul Wilmott Want to break into the lucrative world of trading and quantitative finance? You need this book!

• Oral sex can not be given or received anywhere.
• Thistles may not grow in one’s yard.

Sheriff: Wow – No Oral Sex! Hey Question did Bill Clinton “monica” anywhere in Maryland? One gotta wonder…

If you know any stupid laws that I missed from your state? Let me know – expose stupidity for what it is – STUPID

The Unreal Universe
A Book on Physics and Philosophy

---

Pages: 292 (282 in eBook) Trimsize: 6" x 9" Illustrations: 34 (9 in color in eBook) Tables: 8 Bibliography: Yes Index: Yes ISBN: 9789810575946

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Maine

• Shotguns are required to be taken to church in the event of a Native American attack.
• You may not step out of a plane in flight.
• After January 14th you will be charged a fine for having your Christmas decorations still up.

Sheriff: Good thing I grew up in NYC – mom from Pennsylvania. Lights always came down around Easter! We would have gotten a fine every year!

If you know any stupid laws that I missed from your state? Let me know – expose stupidity for what it is – STUPID

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Louisiana

• “Fake” wrestling matches are prohibited.

Full text of the Law

RS 4:75

75. Sham or fake contests or exhibitions

Whoever conducts or is a party to any sham or fake boxing contest or wrestling exhibition shall forfeit his license and shall not thereafter be entitled to receive any license pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

Acts 1974, No. 553, 1.

• Spectators at a boxing match may not mock one of the contestants.

Full text of the Law

RS 4:81

81. Open betting or quoting of odds; insulting or abusive remarks

There shall be no open betting or quoting of odds in the club or arena where the exhibition or contest is being held. Whoever does so shall be ejected.

There shall be no insulting or abusive remarks made by seconds, managers, or spectators and directed at the contestants. The officers of the club, and the secretary of the commission, shall at once eject persons who violate this or any other provision of this chapter.

Acts 1974, No. 553, 1.

• One could possibly land in jail for 20 years upon urinating in the city’s water supply.

Full text of the Law RS 14:58

58. Contaminating water supplies

Contaminating water supplies is the intentional performance of any act tending to contaminate any private or public water supply.

Whoever commits the crime of contaminating water supplies, when the act foreseeably endangers the life or health of human beings, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than twenty years, or both.

Whoever commits the crime of contaminating water supplies, when the act does not foreseeably endanger the life or health of human beings, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both.

A law was passed with the specific intent of stating the punishment for stealing crawfish.

Persons could land in jail for up to ten years for stealing an alligator.

• It is a $500 fine to instruct a pizza delivery man to deliver a pizza to your friend without them knowing.

Full Text of the Law

RS 14:68.6

68.6. Unauthorized ordering of goods or services

A. It is unlawful for any person to intentionally place an order for any goods or services to be supplied or delivered to another person when all of the following circumstances apply:

(1) The person receiving the goods or services has not previously authorized such an order, does not reside with the person who placed the order, and the goods or services are not being given as a gift to that person.

(2) The person receiving the goods or services is required to pay for such goods or services, either in advance or upon delivery and has not previously agreed to do so, or is required to return the items to the sender at his expense.

(3) The person placing the order for goods or services intends to harass or annoy the person receiving such goods or services.

B. Receipt and use of an item described in this Section by the receiver shall constitute an affirmative defense to prosecution under this Section.

C. If the person who places the order for the goods or services is told by the customer who receives the goods or services that the customer did not desire the goods or services, the customer is released from any obligation to pay for such goods or services and the providing person shall not be liable under this Section.

D. Whoever violates Subsection A shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

E. In addition to any other sentence imposed under this Section, the sentencing court, in its discretion, may require the offender to make restitution to the victim for any loss to the victim caused by the offense.

Acts 1999, No. 1060, 1.

• Running an abortion advertisement can land you in jail for a year.
• It is illegal to rob a bank and then shoot at the bank teller with a water pistol.
• Biting someone with your natural teeth is “simple assault,” while biting someone with your false teeth is “aggravated assault.
• It is illegal to gargle in public places.
• It is illegal to shoot lasers at police officers.
• One may not “dare” another to go onto railroad tracks owned by another.
• It is illegal to steal a “movable” even if it classified as an “immovable”.
• Rituals that involve the ingestion of blood, urine, or fecal matter are not allowed.
• One could land in jail for up to a year for making a false promise.
• Every time a person is seriously burned, he must report the injury to the fire marshal.
• Prisoners who hurt themselves could serve an additional two years in jail.

Full text of the Law

RS 14:404

Self-mutilation by a prisoner

A. Self-mutilation by a prisoner is the intentional infliction of injuries to himself by a prisoner incarcerated in any state penitentiary or any local penal or correctional institution or while in the lawful custody of a peace officer, or the procuring or permitting of another person to inflict injury on such prisoner by means of shooting, stabbing, cutting, applying chemicals or other substances to the body, drinking or eating poisonous or toxic substances, or in any manner, when such results in permanent or temporary injury.

B. Whoever commits the crime of self-mutilation by a prisoner shall be imprisoned at hard labor for a term not exceeding two years. Any sentence imposed under this Section shall run consecutively to any other sentence being served by the offender at the time of the offense.

Added by Acts 1966, No. 85, 1. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 456, 1; Acts 1997, No. 179, 1.

Sheriff: know any stupid laws that I missed from your state? Let me know – expose stupidity for what it is – STUPID!

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Kentucky

• Throwing eggs at a public speaker could result in up to one year in prison.

Full text of the Law

KRS 437.050 Attempting to interrupt or injure public speaker

Any person who interferes with any person addressing a public audience within this state, who interrupts such a person, while speaking, by the use of insulting or offensive language or opprobrious epithets applied to the speaker or who attempts to interrupt or injure the speaker by throwing missiles of any kind at him shall be fined not less than fifty ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisoned for not less than one (1) year nor more than six (6) months [sic], or both.

• One may not dye a duckling blue and offer it for sale unless more than six are for sale at once.

Full text of the Law

KRS 436.600

No person shall sell, exchange, offer to sell or exchange, display, or possess living baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits which have been dyed or colored; nor dye or color any baby chicks, ducklings, or other fowl or rabbits; nor sell, exchange, offer to sell or exchange or to give away baby chicks, ducklings or other fowl or rabbits, under two (2) months of age in any quantity less than six (6), except that any rabbit weighing three (3) pounds or more may be sold at an age of six (6) weeks. Any person who violates this section shall be fined not less than $100 nor more than $500.

History: Amended 1972 Ky. Acts ch 374, sec 1. –Created 1966 Ky. Acts ch. 215, sec. 5.

• It is illegal to fish with a bow and arrow in Kentucky.

Sheriff: know any stupid laws that I missed from your state? Let me know – expose stupidity for what it is – STUPID!

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Kansas

• Rabbits may not be shot from motorboats.
• Pedestrians crossing the highways at night must wear tail lights.
• No one may catch fish with his bare hands.
• The state game rule prohibits the use of mules to hunt ducks.
• If two trains meet on the same track, neither shall proceed until the other has passed.

Sheriff: Um, ok on that last one, but please explain how each one can wait to proceed until the other train passes, PLEASE!!! Maybe I’m the Stupid one here today!

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Iowa

Sheriff: For all those who know me personally, you know how much I loved my time and experiences in Iowa, and the quirks I discovered there.

• It is a violation of the law to sell or distribute drugs or narcotics without having first obtained the appropriate Iowa drug tax stamp.
• Kisses may last for no more than five minutes.
• Tanning bed facilities must warn of the risk of getting a sunburn.

Full text of the Law

136D.4 Warning signs–written warning statements.

1. A tanning facility shall post the following warning signs that describe the hazards associated with the use of tanning devices:

a. A warning sign in a conspicuous location readily visible to persons entering the establishment. The signs shall comply with rules adopted by the department.

b. A warning sign for each tanning device, in a conspicuous location readily visible to a person preparing to use the device. The sign shall comply with rules adopted by the department.

2. A tanning facility shall provide each customer with a written warning statement that complies with rules adopted by the department.

Section History: Recent form

90 Acts, ch 1220,4

• A board was created to regulate among other things, hearing aids.

Full text of the Law

154A.2 – Establishment of board.

A board for the licensing and regulation of hearing aid dealers is established. The board shall consist of three licensed hearing aid dealers and two members who are not licensed hearing aid dealers who shall represent the general public. Members, who shall be residents of the state of Iowa, shall be appointed by the governor, subject to confirmation by the senate. A licensed member shall be actively employed as a hearing aid dealer and shall have been so engaged for five years preceding appointment, the last two of which shall have been in Iowa. Hearing aid dealers appointed to the initial board shall have not less than five years experience and shall fulfill the qualifications relating to experience for licensure as provided in this chapter.

No more than two members of the board shall be employees of, or dealers principally, for the same hearing aid manufacturer.

Professional associations or societies composed of licensed hearing aid dealers may recommend the names of potential board members to the governor, but the governor shall not be bound by the recommendations. A board member shall not be required to be a member of any professional association or society composed of licensed hearing aid dealers.

Section History: Early form

[C75, 77, 79, 81, ? 154A.2]

• Ministers must obtain a permit to carry their liquor across state lines.
• Doctors who treat a person with gonorrhea must report this to the local board of health and include the disease’s “probable origin”.

Full text of the Law

Chapter 299

The Public Health

Section 2. Local boards of health – diseased persons – physicians to report.

It shall be the duty of every licensed physician, of every superintendent or manager of a hospital dispensary and of every person who gives treatment for a venereal disease, to mail to the local board of health of the city, town, or township located in the state of Iowa, and where the disease occurs, a card or report blank supplied by the state board of health, stating the age, sex, color, marital condition and occupation of such diseased person, the nature and previous duration of such disease and its probable origin; such card or report blank to be mailed immediately after the first examination or treatment of such diseased person, provided, that except as hereinafter required, the name and address of such diseased person shall not be reported to the local board of health.

Approved April 22, 1919

• All boxes used to pick hops must be exactly 36 inches long.
• A man with a moustache may never kiss a woman in public.
• One-armed piano players must perform for free. 

If there are any Stupid – and we mean STUPID laws in your State that we missed, or in your city for our upcoming stupid city laws list, let us know.

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Indiana

• Waitresses may not carry drinks into a restaurant or bar.
• Hotel sheets must be exactly 99 inches long and 81 inches wide.
• If any person has a puppet show, wire dancing or tumbling act in the state of Indiana and receives money for it, they will be fined $3 under the Act to Prevent Certain Immoral Practices.

Sheriff: Remember! Puppet shows are Immoral!

• Anyone 14 or older who profanely curses, damns or swears by the name of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, shall be fined one to three dollars for each offense, with a maximum fine of ten dollars per day.
• A three dollar fine per pack will be imposed on anyone playing cards in Indiana under the Act for the Prevention of Gaming.

• The value of Pi is 3.

Full text of the Law

*Not an actual law*

Was proposed in the 1897 session of the Indiana General Assembly. Engrossed Bill No. 246. The bill was passed in the house of representatives, but it was indefinately postponed in the Senate. That status remains today.

• It is illegal for a man to be sexually aroused in public.

Full text of the Law

IC 35-45-4

Chapter 4, Indecent Acts and Prostitution

 IC 35-45-4-1

Sec. 1.

(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally, in a public place:

(1) engages in sexual intercourse;

(2) engages in deviate sexual conduct;

(3) appears in a state of nudity; or

(4) fondles the person’s genitals or the genitals of another person; commits public indecency, a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class D felony if the person commits the offense by appearing in the state of nudity with the intent to arouse the sexual desires of the person or another person in or on a public place where a child less than sixteen (16) years of age is present.

(b) “Nudity” means the showing of the human male or female genitals, pubic area, or buttocks with less than a fully opaque covering, the showing of the female breast with less than a fully opaque covering of any part of the nipple, or the showing of covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state.

(c) A person who, in a place other than a public place, with the intent to be seen by persons other than invitees and occupants of that place:

(1) engages in sexual intercourse;

(2) engages in deviate sexual conduct; or

(3) fondles the person’s genitals or the genitals of another person; where the person can be seen by persons other than invitees and occupants of that place commits indecent exposure, a Class C misdemeanor.

As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.5. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.76; P.L.189-1984, SEC.1; P.L.215-1997, SEC.1.

• One may not sniff glue.
• A person must get a referral from a licensed physician if he or she wishes to see a hypnotist unless the desired procedure is to quit smoking or lose weight.
• Baths may not be taken between the months of October and March.
• It is illegal to sell cars on Sunday.
• Oral sex is illegal.
• A man over the age of 18 may be arrested for statutory rape if the passenger in his car is not wearing her socks and shoes, and is under the age of 17.
• It is against the law to pass a horse on the street.
• It is illegal for a liquor store to sell cold soft drinks.
• Liquor stores may not sell milk.
• Grocery stores may not sell any type of cold liquor.
• You can get out of paying for a dependent’s medical care by praying for him/her.

Full text of the Law

IC 35-46-1-5 Sec. 5.

(a) A person who knowingly or intentionally fails to provide support to the person’s dependent child commits nonsupport of a child, a Class D felony. However, the offense is a Class C felony if the amount of unpaid support that is due and owing is at least ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

(b) It is a defense that the child had abandoned the home of his family without the consent of his parent or on the order of a court, but it is not a defense that the child had abandoned the home of his family if the cause of the child’s leaving was the fault of his parent.

(c) It is a defense that the accused person, in the legitimate practice of his religious belief, provided treatment by spiritual means through prayer, in lieu of medical care, to his dependent child.

(d) It is a defense that the accused person was unable to provide support.

As added by Acts 1976, P.L.148, SEC.6. Amended by Acts 1977, P.L.340, SEC.88; Acts 1978, P.L.144, SEC.9; P.L.213-1996, SEC.4.

• You may not back into a parking spot because it prevents police officers from seeing the license plate.
• Smoking in the state legislature building is banned, except when the legislature is in session.

Sheriff: Banned, except when legislature is in session! Just like always – do as I say, not as I do!

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Illinois

• You may be arrested for vagrancy if you do not have at least one dollar bill on your person.
• You must contact the police before entering the state in an automobile.
• The English language is not to be spoken.

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Idaho

• It is illegal for a man to give his sweetheart a box of candy weighing less than fifty pounds.

Sheriff: Remember guys – not less than 50 pounds if it is a box! Therefore advice to those giving a sweet to their sweetie on Valentine’s day or otherwise….Hershey’s bar! But picture the poor sap whose wife, and daughters all are chocolate lovers…and get offended if you tell them to share!

• You may not fish on a camel’s back.

Sheriff: Shouldn’t be that hard, I don’t believe there are that many camels in the wilds of Idaho!

• Riding a merry-go-round on Sundays is considered a crime.

Sheriff: Because spinning around thaaaaaat fast may make you think you are seeing Jesus? But hey Roller coasters and booze are ok I guess!

If there are any Stupid – and we mean STUPID laws in your State that we missed, or in your city for our upcoming stupid city laws list, let us know.

 Share now!

We hope you knowing these stupid and relatively unknown laws will give you a laugh, keep you informed on the idiocy that can be law, and help keep you out of jail – for being Stupid.

As they say “ignorance of the law is no excuse” and as we say stupidity must be a real good excuse!

Today we discover – Hawaii

• Billboards are outlawed.

Full text of the Law 445-112

Where and when permitted. No person shall erect, maintain, or use a billboard or display any outdoor advertising device, except as provided in this section:

(1) The display of official notices and signs, posted by order of any court or public office, or posted by any public officer in the performance of a public duty, or posted by any person required to do so by any law or rule having the force of law.

(2) Any outdoor advertising device announcing a meeting or series of meetings is not prohibited by this section if displayed on the premises where the meeting or series of meetings will be or is being held. Meeting, as used in this section, includes all meetings regardless of whether open to the public or conducted for profit and includes but is not limited to sports events, conventions, fairs, rallies, plays, lectures, concerts, motion pictures, dances, and religious services.

(3) Any outdoor advertising device indicating that the building or premises on which it is displayed is the residence, office, or place of business, commercial or otherwise, of any individual, partnership, joint venture, association, club, or corporation, and stating the nature of the business.

(4) Any outdoor advertising device that advertises property or services that may be bought, rented, sold, or otherwise traded in on the premises or in the building on which the outdoor advertising device is displayed.

(5) The offering for sale of merchandise bearing incidental advertising, including books, magazines, and newspapers, in any store, newsstand, vending machine, rack, or other place where such merchandise is regularly sold.

(6) Any outdoor advertising device offering any land, building, or part of a building for sale or rent, if displayed on the property so offered or on the building of which part is so offered.

(7) Any outdoor advertising device carried by persons or placed upon vehicles used for the transportation of persons or goods.

(8) Any outdoor advertising device warning the public of dangerous conditions that they may encounter in nearby sections of streets, roads, paths, public places, power lines, gas and water mains, or other public utilities.

(9) Signs serving no commercial purpose that indicate places of natural beauty, or of historical or cultural interest and that are made according to designs approved by the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

(10) Any outdoor advertising device or billboard erected, placed, or maintained upon a state office building, if erected, placed, or maintained by authority of a state agency, department, or officer for the sole purpose of announcing cultural or educational events within the State, and if the design and location thereof has been approved by the department of business, economic development, and tourism.

(11) Signs urging voters to vote for or against any person or issue, if erected not more than forty-five days before, and removed not less than ten days after, the election in which the person is a candidate or in which the issue is to be voted upon.

(12) Signs stating that a residence that is offered for sale, lease, or rent is open for inspection at the actual time the sign is displayed and showing the route to the residence; provided that the sign contains no words or designs other than the words “Open House”, the address of the residence, the name of the person or agency responsible for the sale, and an arrow or other directional symbol and is removed during such time as the residence is not open for inspection.

(13) The erection, maintenance, and use of billboards if the billboard is used solely for outdoor advertising devices not prohibited by this section.

(14) The continued display and maintenance of outdoor advertising devices actually displayed on July 8, 1965, in accordance with all laws and ordinances immediately theretofore in effect.

(15) The continued maintenance of any billboard actually maintained on July 8, 1965, and the display thereon of the same or new advertising devices, all in accordance with all laws and ordinances in effect immediately prior to July 9, 1965.

(16) Any outdoor advertising device displayed with the authorization of the University of Hawaii on any scoreboard of any stadium owned by the university. An outdoor advertising device displayed under this paragraph shall be on the front of the scoreboard and face the interior of the stadium.

(17) Any temporary outdoor advertising device attached to or supported by the structure of any stadium owned by the University of Hawaii, located within and facing the interior of the stadium, and authorized to be displayed by the university. For the purpose of this paragraph, “temporary” means displayed for a short period before the official start of organized athletic competition, during the organized athletic competition, and for a short period after the official end of the organized athletic competition; and

(18) Any outdoor advertising device displayed with the authorization of the stadium authority on any scoreboard of any stadium operated by the stadium authority. An outdoor advertising device displayed under this paragraph shall be on the front of the scoreboard and face the interior of the stadium.

[L 1965, c 233, pt of ?1; Supp, ?155-121; HRS ?445-112; am L 1986, c 245, ?1; am L 1987, c 336, ?7; am L 1990, c 293, ?8; am L 1994, c 118, ?1]

Why does this law exist?

One of Hawaii’s major sources of income is tourism, and therefore many measures are taken to protect its natural beauty. Therefore, building codes such as this have been established to preserve views of the mountains, volcanoes, and beaches of the islands.

• All residents may be fined as a result of not owning a boat.
• Coins are not allowed to be placed in one’s ears

If there are any Stupid – and we mean STUPID laws in your State that we missed, or in your city for our upcoming stupid city laws list, let us know.

 Share now!