Weird Laws in Michigan Anything

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Weird Laws in Michigan

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List of strange state laws on the books in Michigan. These rules and regulations were passed by the Michigan state legislature, or in an individual in Michigan city, and for one reason or another, were never overturned, remaining active on the books until this day. Almost every city and state has some outdated, old-fashioned or even nonsensical laws on the books, and they can come about for a variety of reasons. Most frequently, the laws appeared in the books following a court ruling on a specific case, that then set a common law precedent from that point on.

Strange or unnecessary laws have become a popular source for humor, online and more generally in popular culture. TV shows like "The Simpsons" have had a lot of fun with the notion of small towns having peculiar regulations on the books. (In one episode, Mayor Quimby is surprised to find out the town charter mandates that all ducks wear long pants.)

Often, "dumb laws" as reported on websites and in humor books have been shown to be inaccurate. This sometimes happens because a real, sensible law has been exaggerated or misunderstood, turning into something that sounds silly or ridiculous. Other times, it is simply the result of a hoax being repeated enough times to gain some kind of credibility. If you think any of the laws on this page are not accurate or do not remain active in Michigan, let me know in the comments below.
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  1. 1
    Up 24
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    Painted sparrow

    It is illegal to paint sparrows to sell them as parakeets. (Harper Woods)
  2. 2
    Up 25
    Down 6

    Bathing suits

    All bathing suits must have been inspected by the head of police. (Rochester)
  3. 3
    Up 19
    Down 2

    Men seducing women

    No man may seduce and corrupt an unmarried girl, or else he risks five years in prison.
  4. 4
    Up 16
    Down 0

    Keeping their cow

    Anyone can keep their cow on Main Street downtown at a cost of 3 cents per day. (Wayland)
  5. 5
    Up 19
    Down 3

    Making love in automobile

    Couples are banned from making love in an automobile unless the act takes place while the vehicle is parked on the couple’s own property. (Detroit)
  6. 6
    Up 20
    Down 5

    Running pig

    It is illegal to let your pig run free in Detroit unless it has a ring in its nose. (Detroit)
  7. 7
    Up 18
    Down 7

    Smoking

    Smoking while in bed is illegal. (Soo)
  8. 8
    Up 18
    Down 7

    Handgun license

    Any person over the age of 12 may have a license for a handgun as long as he/she has not been convicted of a felony.
  9. 9
    Up 13
    Down 3

    Adultery

    Adultery is illegal, but can only be punished upon a complaint by the affected husband or wife.
  10. 10
    Up 18
    Down 9

    Women's haircuts

    A woman isn’t allowed to cut her own hair without her husband’s permission.
  11. 11
    Up 9
    Down 4

    Drunk on trains

    Persons may not be drunk on trains.
  12. 12
    Up 8
    Down 4

    Scowling

    It is illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sunday. (Detroit)
  13. 13
    Up 7
    Down 4

    Serenade

    It is against the law to serenade your girlfriend. (Kalamazoo)
  14. 14
    Up 9
    Down 7

    Swear

    You may not swear in front of women and children. (Repealed, 2002)
  15. 15
    Up 8
    Down 6

    Cars on Sunday

    Cars may not be sold on Sunday.
  16. 16
    Up 7
    Down 5

    Decompression chamber

    It is illegal to kill a dog using a decompression chamber.
  17. 17
    Up 6
    Down 4

    Confiscating item

    Security guards at Joe Louis Arena will confiscate any item they feel might be thrown onto the ice. (Detroit)
  18. 18
    Up 10
    Down 10

    Robber to file a law suit

    It is legal for a robber to file a law suit, if he or she got hurt in your house.
  19. 19
    Up 4
    Down 4

    Bounty for starling and crow

    There is a 3 cent bounty for each starling and 10 cent bounty for each crow killed in any village, township, or city in the state. (Repealed, 2006)
  20. 20
    Up 2
    Down 5

    Abandoned hoop skirt

    No person shall throw an abandoned hoop skirt into any street or on any sidewalk, under penalty of a five- dollar fine for each offense. (Grand Haven)
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