by Nichole Nash

Created on: January 27, 2008

Louisiana laws have always been unique. Unlike any other state, our laws are based primarily on the Napoleonic Code, and many of these are still on our books. While some were beneficial, such as forced inheritance that prevented daughters from being left out of wills, others are just downright ludicrous.

Take for instance the law I learned of when I went to college. In Louisiana, you will not find a sorority house in which the young ladies live. They will host parties there, have meetings there, but they will not use it as their dwelling. The reason? Louisiana law prohibits five or more women from residing in the same dwelling, as this in historical times, was indicative of a brothel.

Alligators are prevalent in the southern region of our state, and many laws have been passed to protect them and regulate appropriate use of this animal. The first one states that alligators may not be tied to a fire hydrant. Interestingly, nothing is mentioned about hitching posts or porches. Also, stealing an alligator, or any part thereof from your neighbor, can result in up to ten years in prison.

Voodoo has played an important part in the culture of Louisiana. The city of New Orleans has put in place several laws in an attempt to squelch this often misunderstood practice. Firstly, it is illegal in the city of New Orleans to take part in any future telling, card reading, or ceremonies in exchange for profit. Similarly, it is illegal to use animal or human blood, body parts or waste in any religious ceremonies.

Public displays of affection are frowned upon in many states. In fact, in Louisiana, couples are forbidden to "try before they buy" a new mattress, or even to imitate the act. Similarly, it is against the law to take part in phone sex in some parts of Louisiana, or to have any sort of lewd, vulgar, or disrespectful phone conversation.

Any gathering of people in Louisiana means the sharing of food. This includes weddings, baptisms, even wakes. However, it is against the law to eat more than three sandwiches at a wake in Louisiana. It is unclear, however, if this law refers to three whole sandwiches, or three sections of a sandwich which has been cut up, which could equal either 3/4 of one sandwich, or one and a half sandwiches, depending upon the cut.

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