Introduction
The United States legal system is built on centuries of legislation, but not all laws age like fine wine. Some are more like the forgotten leftovers in your fridge—bizarre, outdated, and somehow still around. From bans on eating frogs to rules about ice cream cones in your pocket, these laws may leave you laughing, scratching your head, or wondering how they ever made it onto the books in the first place. Here are 25 of the strangest, funniest, and most puzzling laws that still technically exist across the U.S.
1. In Arizona, it’s illegal for a donkey to sleep in a bathtub. This law was passed after a flood swept away a ranch owner’s donkey while it was snoozing in an old tub. The town blamed the tub.
2. In Indiana, it’s illegal to catch a fish with your bare hands. Hand-fishing (or “noodling”) is not only dangerous, it’s also illegal in some states like Indiana.
3. In Alabama, it’s illegal to wear a fake mustache in church that causes laughter. They take their Sunday service seriously in Alabama.
4. In Florida, unmarried women who parachute on Sundays can be jailed. Yes, this one is technically still on the books, though rarely enforced (thankfully).
5. In Kentucky, it’s illegal to carry ice cream in your back pocket. Why? To stop horse theft. People used to lure horses away with cones in their pockets.
6. In Ohio, it’s illegal to fish for whales on Sunday. Never mind that Ohio is landlocked—rules are rules.
7. In North Dakota, it’s illegal to lie down and fall asleep with your shoes on. An odd way to encourage bedtime rituals.
8. In Georgia, it’s illegal to keep an ice cream cone in your back pocket on Sundays. Apparently, Georgia and Kentucky had similar horse problems.
9. In California, it’s illegal to whistle for a lost canary before 7 a.m. Let the little guy sleep in, will you?
10. In Minnesota, it’s illegal to cross state lines with a duck atop your head. You have to wonder what incident inspired this one.
11. In South Carolina, a man must carry his wife across the threshold of their home after marriage—it’s the law. Romantic… or risky if the stairs are steep.
12. In New Jersey, it is illegal to wear a bulletproof vest while committing a crime. That’s right—if you’re going to commit a crime, do it vulnerably.
13. In Oklahoma, you can be fined for making ugly faces at dogs. That Chihuahua is watching you.
14. In Vermont, women must get permission from their husbands to wear false teeth. An extremely outdated (and extremely sexist) law.
15. In Texas, it’s illegal to sell your eyeballs. Not that you’d want to.
16. In Maine, you can’t park in front of Dunkin’ Donuts. Coffee is serious business.
17. In Washington, harassing Bigfoot, Sasquatch, or other undiscovered subspecies is a felony. Yes, they made it official.
18. In Wisconsin, it’s illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without cheese. Because why wouldn’t you want cheddar with your dessert?
19. In Rhode Island, it’s illegal to bite off someone else’s leg. We’re assuming this came from a very specific incident.
20. In Illinois, it’s illegal to give a dog whiskey. Or any alcohol, really.
21. In Missouri, it’s illegal to drive with an uncaged bear. We call that good advice, not just law.
22. In Maryland, it’s illegal to swear while driving. Try shouting “fiddlesticks!” instead.
23. In Idaho, it’s illegal to give someone a box of candy weighing more than 50 pounds. Because love should be light.
24. In Nebraska, you can’t get married if you have a venereal disease. A law rooted in very old public health ideas.
25. In Utah, it’s illegal to not drink milk. Technically, all restaurants are required to serve it. Utah loves dairy.
Conclusion
While most of these laws are never enforced, they remain on the books as curious remnants of a different time. They serve as a humorous reminder of how the law evolves—and how sometimes, it forgets to delete the weird parts. Whether you’re a lawyer, a trivia fan, or just someone who enjoys legal absurdity, these laws show that even the justice system has its quirks.
Stay tuned to JobFQ Law Guide for more fascinating (and occasionally hilarious) insights into the world of law!