Tags: offbeat, michigan, laws, state laws, top 10
Weird Laws in Michigan
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 Almost every city and state has some outdated, old-fashioned or even nonsensical laws on the books, and they can come about for a variety of reasons.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.
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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- 1Up 24Down 1
Painted sparrow
“ It is illegal to paint sparrows to sell them as parakeets. (Harper Woods) „ - 2Up 25Down 6
Bathing suits
“ All bathing suits must have been inspected by the head of police. (Rochester) „ - 3Up 19Down 2
Men seducing women
“ No man may seduce and corrupt an unmarried girl, or else he risks five years in prison. „ - 4Up 16Down 0
Keeping their cow
“ Anyone can keep their cow on Main Street downtown at a cost of 3 cents per day. (Wayland) „ - 5Up 19Down 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) „ - 6Up 20Down 5
Running pig
“ It is illegal to let your pig run free in Detroit unless it has a ring in its nose. (Detroit) „ - 7Up 18Down 7
Smoking
“ Smoking while in bed is illegal. (Soo) „ - 8Up 18Down 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. „ - 9Up 13Down 3
Adultery
“ Adultery is illegal, but can only be punished upon a complaint by the affected husband or wife. „ - 10Up 18Down 9
Women's haircuts
“ A woman isn’t allowed to cut her own hair without her husband’s permission. „ - 11Up 9Down 4
Drunk on trains
“ Persons may not be drunk on trains. „ - 12Up 8Down 4
Scowling
“ It is illegal for a man to scowl at his wife on Sunday. (Detroit) „ - 13Up 7Down 4
Serenade
“ It is against the law to serenade your girlfriend. (Kalamazoo) „ - 14Up 9Down 7
Swear
“ You may not swear in front of women and children. (Repealed, 2002) „ - 15Up 8Down 6
Cars on Sunday
“ Cars may not be sold on Sunday. „ - 16Up 7Down 5
Decompression chamber
“ It is illegal to kill a dog using a decompression chamber. „ - 17Up 6Down 4
Confiscating item
“ Security guards at Joe Louis Arena will confiscate any item they feel might be thrown onto the ice. (Detroit) „ - 18Up 10Down 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. „ - 19Up 4Down 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) „ - 20Up 2Down 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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