Myths Busted: 15 Legal Actions You Thought Were Illegal
Have you ever wondered if what you are doing is legal or not? It may come as a surprise, but numerous laws in different states make you wonder about the legality of specific actions. The items on this list are all legal but have certain parts that make them legal in certain states.
1. Owning Exotic Animals
Owning exotic animals may sound like something you would do on the black market. Still, it is perfectly legal for many states to own animals like Pythons, monitor lizards, and even a Tiger—Mike Tyson once owned three Bengal Tigers.
2. Having a Monkey As a Pet
Owning a monkey comes with certain limitations. In about 12 states, you are not allowed to own monkeys. Do not watch the show Friends and think it is okay to own a monkey in New York ( it is illegal in New York). If you do like monkeys, Oregon allows you to use them as service animals.
3. Eating Foods With Arsenic
Arsenic is a dangerous chemical that has been banned in foods in Europe. The World Health Organization has deemed it one of the top 10 chemicals to cause serious health issues. While arsenic is a dangerous chemical, it has yet to be banned in the U.S.A., so it is still legal….
4. Spanking in Schools
Do you remember the times when spanking was a thing in schools? For most people, it was a thing at home. In schools, it is considered corporate punishment. Many states outlaw spanking at schools. New Jersey has had it outlawed since 1867, but many states, such as Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, still allow spankings to be done at school. Does it mean it happens? Probably not, but there are no laws against it.
5. Spanking at Home
Spanking in schools may be legal in many of the states, but what about spanking at home? It is legal in all states. Spanking is considered a reasonable punishment to a degree. If it goes too far and you are accused of child abuse, then it is up to the judge to determine how far is too far with spanking.
6. Filming People in Public
It may be strange if people film you while in public on their phones, but it is totally legal. If it weren’t, there may be a bit fewer YouTubers out there. Celebrities get followed around like crazy, so a whole profession is dedicated to filming people in public.
7. Marrying Your Cousin
Are we in the mountains or the hills? Marrying your cousin? We all know how it sounds, but it can’t be legal, can it? It is indeed legal to marry your cousin in all states. It all depends on which cousin it is. In 25 states, you are permitted tomarry your first cousin (aunt and uncle’s kid). Some states have stipulations, such as you have to be over 65 or something strange like that. Yep, this is not just the mountains of West Virginia; it can be any state.
8. Taking Free Samples
Have you ever wondered if taking too many free samples is a crime? You may be that person who shows up at Costco around mealtime to grab all those goodies for free. There are many free samples to get, but is it illegal to take too many? It is perfectly legal, but many people look at you strangely, and the store employees may even cut you off.
9. Bringing Food Into Another Restaurant
Have you ever met up with some people for a meal at a restaurant and brought your food? Restaurant food is expensive, and though it may be frowned upon to bring outside food, it is legal. The store does have the right to remove you. So just be wary of store policies.
10. Burying People in Your Backyard
Burying people in your backyard may make you sound like a serial killer, but it is perfectly legal to bury loved ones. Donald Trump buried his wife on his golf course. You just need to check out the zoning laws before you do it.
11. Drinking Alcohol While Underage
The legal drinking age in the U.S.A. is 21, but in many states, there are various rules that allow people to drink underage. These can include religious ceremonies, private property under the supervision of parental figures, medical reasons, or even educational reasons. Each state has different laws regarding alcohol, so make sure you know and abide by them.
12. Being Barefoot
Most people see signs that say, “No shirt, no shoes, no service.” This was a popular response by businesses to keep the hippies out of their stores. It is not illegal to be barefooted anywhere; it may just cause injury with little protection on your feet. Private establishments have rules, so follow them, but the public is perfectly fine to go barefooted.
13. Riding in the Truck Bed
Have you seen teens or people riding in the bed of a truck, wondering how legal it is? It is legal in 20 different states, with about 30 states having an age requirement. They must also be seated in the bed of the truck. There could be local laws, but it is perfectly legal.
14. Sleeping In Your Car
Driving late at night can be dangerous if you get a bit drowsy. It is safer to take a bit of a nap in your car. In 14 states, it is legal to sleep in your vehicle. For the most part, it is legal in most places. You just need to park legally and not be drunk.
15. Recording a Conversation
In many states, you need the permission of the person to record the conversation. That is why when you listen to those call centers, they tell you that the conversation may be recorded for training purposes. In some states, it is 100% legal to record someone else without their permission. Be on the safe side, and do not illegally record someone. You could go to jail.
Death Happens: Don’t Leave Your Heirs These 14 Things
When we think about the end of our lives, we often worry about what we’ll leave behind for our children. We want to give them things that will make them happy and help them remember us fondly. But, believe it or not, some things might be better not left to them. This is a list of 14 items you might think twice about before passing on to your kids. So, let’s get started and see what might be best left out of your final farewell.
Death Happens: Don’t Leave Your Heirs These 14 Things
16 Frugal Habits That Have Made Retirement Even Better
Ah, retirement. Those twenty-five or thirty years after you hit the age to fully withdraw Social Security when you can sit back, relax, and enjoy life’s splendor. But it can also be a time of extreme anxiety, heightened stress, and financial difficulty.
16 Frugal Habits That Have Made Retirement Even Better
Italian Coffee Culture: How to Order Coffee in Italy and 12 Types to Order
Along with food, coffee is an integral part of Italian culture. The Italians take coffee very seriously. If you’ve never had authentic Italian coffee or haven’t ordered it in Italy and are planning a trip there sometime soon, this guide is for you.
Italian Coffee Culture: How to Order Coffee in Italy and 12 Types to Order
