by Tonia Hooper

Created on: June 16, 2010   Last Updated: June 17, 2010

It seems that there is a law for just about everything these days, and most are written with the best of intentions to protect the public.  There are some laws however, mostly very old laws that make you wonder what the government was thinking, after all they had to have some reason for writing the law in the first place, right?  Take for example Florida, which has it share of strange laws that are still on the books, though may not be enforced.  Following are some examples of unusual laws in Florida:

Penalty for horse theft is hanging; If an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle; You may not kiss your wife’s breasts; Oral sex is illegal; It is considered an offense to shower naked; You are not allowed to break more than three dishes per day, or chip the edges of more than four cups and/or saucers; You may not fart in a public place after 6 p.m.; When having sex, only the missionary position is legal; It is illegal to skateboard without a license; Having sex with a porcupine is illegal; Men may not be seen publicly in any kind of strapless gown; It is illegal to sing in a public place while wearing a swimsuit; Women may be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer, as can the salon owner; It is illegal to sell your children; Unmarried women are prohibited from parachuting on Sunday, or she may be arrested, fined and/or jailed; Doors of all public buildings must open outwards; Corrupting the public morals is defined as a nuisance, and is declared a misdemeanor offense; Unmarried couples may not commit lewd acts and live together in the same residence; One may not commit any unnatural acts with another person; The state constitution allows freedom of speech, a trial by jury, and pregnant pigs will not be confined in cages.

You may be wondering what prompted the creation of these laws.  Did someone actually have sex with a porcupine; and for goodness sakes if you see an elephant tied to a parking meter, make sure to put a quarter in the meter for him! 

It is amazing the laws that are actually still in place in states all over the country, take a look at your own state’s strange laws, after all you don’t want to be unknowingly breaking the law by singing in public in your swimsuit!

Learn more about this author, Tonia Hooper.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.