However, the 2003 … Looking back at these laws can be outright comical in some cases. The stars at night are big and bright. For instance, it's illegal to sell your eye, to dust a public building with a feather duster, to milk somebody else's cow, and to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. Beer may not be purchased after midnight on a Sunday, but it may be purchased on Monday. » Sex Crimes and the Law in Texas. Colorful lawmen and hard-line justice are part of Texas’ DNA. (Clarendon), Offensive gestures will not be tolerated at any special event. It's America's second largest state. Most frequently, these laws appeared in the books following a court ruling on a specific case, that then set a common law precedent from that point on. Parking Brakes Must Be Engaged Recently, the Fort Worth police force went around town, issuing parking tickets based on one obscure law that no one even knows about: Regulation 545.404. (Houston), No person shall inhale fumes from model glue. Without cattle ranching, many of the largest cities in Texas might not exist. This trend has transcended to the Texan laws. These laws apply to all residents of Texas no matter where they live. (a) A person commits an offense if, with intent to obtain an economic benefit the person: (1) knowingly institutes a suit or claim that the person has not been authorized to pursue; [or] (2) solicits employment, either in person or… It’s hard to say what the intent of this law is but it’s certainly strange. >, Penalties of False Allegations in Texas >. (Austin). For more information contact us today at 713-227-0087. 16 Strange Enforceable Laws Still on the Books in Texas. The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home. This law is especially weird because there might have been some sort of strange incident that caused it to be passed in the first place. While some of these strange laws are rarely ever put into effect, they are still technically part of the legal system. Read about these twelve strange state tax laws and how they are generating tax … Some of the weirdest laws in Texas are those passed by the state government. Landing an airplane on the beach is illegal. Almost every city and state has some outdated, old-fashioned or even modern, but nonsensical, laws on the books, and they come about for a variety of reasons. No matter where you live in the great state of Texas, there is a chance that you may have heard of some strange, silly or outright crazy laws at the city or state level. (Houston), It is against the law to throw confetti, rubber balls, feather dusters, whips or quirts (riding crops), and explosive firecrackers of any kind. In 2009, the state dinosaur was changed to the “Paluxysaurus,” a species which was found in northern Texas. (Temple), Obnoxious odors may not be emitted while in an elevator. In Abilene - It is illegal to idle or loiter anyplace within the corporate limits of the city for the purpose of flirting or mashing. Most states require you to wait until the driver completes the turn, but not Texas. Some people believe that this law represents a government conspiracy while others believe that is intended to be used for agriculture. (Mesquite), It is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes and/or hands. We feel like this law may have instead been made for raccoons. 50 Weird Laws Around the World. (In one episode, Mayor Quimby is surprised to find out the town charter mandates that all ducks wear long pants.). Texas residents know that the capital city of Austin has a reputation for being a bit weird. Texas is known for having some shit-show politicians and pieces of legislation. It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing. » White Collar Crime Law … Matthew McConaughey guesses which of these Texas laws … In order to find out just how strange Texas laws can be, it’s necessary to look at the individual city level. Address: 917 Franklin St. Ste 510,Houston,TX77002Phone: (713) 227-0087 | Answered 24/7Fax: (713) 227-9900 | Email: info@brettpodolsky.com Many people know that the bluebonnet is the state flower of Texas. List of strange state laws on the books in Texas. Most of them apply to Texas overall rather than solely Austin, but they’re interesting nonetheless. Texas Penal Code § 38.12 (a) makes it a felony to talk to someone in hopes of finding employment. (Dallas), It is illegal to dust any public building with a feather duster. » Expungements and Sentence Reductions in Texas. » Sentencing in Texas. Everything's bigger. These laws apply to all residents of Texas no matter where they live. All Rights Reserved, Improper Relationship between Educator and Student, What Are the Hit and Run Laws in Texas? This, though, never actually made it into the books. By Peter Simek 11.12.18. A Houston Family Law Attorney Lists The Weirdest Laws In The State Of Texas. Criminals must give their victims 24 hours notice, orally or in writing, to explain the nature of the crime to be committed. So, drink up while standing up. (Galveston). If so, attorney Brett A. Podolsky can help. (Jasper), Any person who sits on a sidewalk may be fined up to $500. It is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts. There are still some outdated and silly laws that don’t apply to Texans but are still in the books. Weird Texas Law It is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts. This is because cities may have created laws in the past to deal with situations that were specific to an issue in their local area. It is illegal to milk another person’s cow. This law might sound more like science fiction than actual fact but it is true that, in 2001, the 77th Texas State Legislature passed a law mentioning a weather modification and control system. Have you been arrested for a bizarre law? However, this law sounds so bizarre that it seems out of place even in such an odd city. Brett A Podolsky represents clients in Harris County, Fort Bend County, Montgomery County, Galveston County, Sugar Land, Pasadena, Missouri City and Pearland. Here are just a few examples of some of those weird Texan laws from an attorney in Lubbock, TX: One must acknowledge the existence of a supreme being before being allowed to hold public office in the state of Texas. We won’t go into depth about all of these but we do want to go ahead and give you ranker.com top 10 weirdest Texas laws. Some of them deal with relatively minor subjects while others have a broader reach. Loose trunks are not allowed, not even board shorts. Weird Laws in Texas: According to DumbLaws.com... A recently passed anti-crime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice. Every country is different, and every country's laws are different. Here are the 10 most ridiculous laws in Texas, spanning from glue to bicycles, that prove everything is, in fact, bigger in Texas, especially its affinity for the weird legislature. The law doesn’t define what “lewd dress” or a “disguise” might mean but it certainly seems that El Paso had serious problems with public indecency at one point. Don't Show Your Stockings Some of them deal with relatively minor subjects while others have a broader reach. Although none of these laws are actually enforced today, they’re still on the books and technically in place. It's a strange, strange world we're in. It’s not clear why state officials felt the need to give a flower its own song but it’s a great example of a weird Texas law. (Borger). However, these weird or outlandish laws are actually on the books, whether they're enforced or not. Meaning: a device including a dildo or artificial vagina, designed or marketed for But this just takes it over the top. ©2021 Brett A. Podolsky. “The department shall develop and administer a program awarding matching grants to political subdivisions of this state for weather modification and control.”. The state still has plenty of strange, antiquated laws that will definitely raise your eyebrows. “No person shall exhibit or expose himself naked, or disguised…or appear in the streets or public places in any indecent or lewd dress, or relieve the calls of nature in any place exposed to the public sight.”. Texas Living Texas’ Weirdest Laws. This means that they could potentially be put into use in a modern legal case. The Lone Star State lets you squeeze by on the shoulder of the road during this situation. Every state has old and archaic laws on their books. You can ride your horse in the saloon. Did you know that it's illegal to sell your eyes or milk a person's cow in the state of Texas? It’s illegal to own a copy of the Encyclopedia Britannica. (Port Arthur), Wire cutters can not be carried in your pocket. Sometimes these laws border on the seriously ridiculous, and other times they point to important cultural values that might be different than your own. 8 Hilarious & Weird Laws That Are Enforced in Texas The Encyclopedia Britannica. Printed on Monday, February 20, 2012 as: Quirky laws are obsolete, funny to modern Texans “The Bluebonnet Song is the official State Flower Song of the state flower.”. Some of these bizarre laws are well-known while others are a bit more obscure. Call Now for a Free Consultation: 713.227.0087, PHONES ANSWERED 24/7 - SE HABLA ESPAÑOL - INFO@BRETTPODOLSKY.COM, Posted on September 9, 2015 by Law Office of Brett A Podolsky. Whether or not that ever happens is another matter but the results would certainly be interesting. This weird law states that male swimmers are mandatorily supposed to wear fitted trunks. We've compiled a list of 50 weird laws around the world you may not believe exist. Here are 11 weird laws in Austin: This El Paso law seems to try to ban several different kinds of behavior. (Galveston), One needs permission from the director of parks and recreation before getting drunk in any city park. It is illegal to … All your exes live there. Added by IdiotLaws.com Staff | 24 Comments Vibrators are Illegal in Texas [/caption]Under a 1973 Texas law, sales of “Obscene device [s]” are prohibited. A recently passed anti-crime laws requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and explain to the nature of the crime about to be comitted. Texas is pretty quirky, and all it takes is a look at its legal code to see that. This was such a big problem that Austin decided to ban the carrying of wire cutters outright. Texas, the court had struck down the state's anti-sodomy laws. (Galveston), It is illegal to sell Limburger cheese on Sunday. Law Office of Brett A. Podolsky In reality, this law dates back to the days when cattle ranching was one of the most important industries in the state. A recently passed anti-crime laws requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and explain to the nature of the crime about to be committed. Cattle rustlers would often take advantage of this situation by cutting open the wire fences on ranches so that they could steal the cattle and make a profit. (Galveston), Owners of horses may not ride them at night without tail lights. 24 hour notice. Putting aside political differences coming from either side of the spectrum, here are some serious WTF laws … Of course, these laws are strange and some of them might be so outdated that they are unlikely to be enforced. But sometimes, in their dedication to legislation, Texas lawmakers have gotten a little, well, goofy. From the first 99-pack of beer in the world to the 85 mph, Texas leads the way in being big. It’s unlikely that this law would still be enforced today but Texas still takes a strong stance against livestock crimes. Strange or unnecessary laws have become a popular source for humor, online and more generally in popular culture. It is illegal in Texas to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing. Amazing facts about strange laws in texas, work in texas, drivers license and texas independence day. Cows. TEXAS CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAW GUIDE. Shutterstock. So while Austin is certainly weird, you may want to extend that term to the entire state of Texas — or the laws at least. The internet was made for lists of the weirdest laws you never knew existed in your state—they’re quirky, they’re fun, and after auditing them, I can tell you they’re about 95% bogus. Eating Garbage. Law says you can’t sell your eye in Texas. These rules and regulations were passed by the Texas state legislature, or in an individual in Texas city, and for one reason or another, were never overturned, remaining active on the books until this day. It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the second story of a hotel. Either way, people often find these kinds of laws humorous when they learn that they exist. One must acknowledge a supreme being before being able to hold public office. (Texarkana). If you allow it while you're in Arizona, you're a criminal.According to a law made in 1924, it is illegal for donkeys to sleep in bathtubs. This is one of the many myths you will find among weird Texas laws. Shooting a buffalo It is illegal for one to shoot a buffalo from the » Texas DUI Law. However, most people don’t know that, in 1933, the state government actually passed a law declaring that the bluebonnet should have its own official flower song. Here are some of the weirdest Texas driving laws and regulations that are technically enforceable. It is illegal to milk another person's cow. In Texas, this never has been, nor is it currently a law. You cannot shoot a … Up to a felony charge can be levied for promoting the use of, or owning more than six dildos. Weird Texas Laws With Matthew McConaughey As the state's capital, Austin is where Texas's laws are made. (San Antonio), Dogs must be on a leash at ALL times. The entire Encyclopedia Britannica is banned in Texas because it contains a formula for making beer at home. The law states that funds should be given to groups who can develop weather control technology. While the federal tax code may be complicated, state tax laws can be just as convoluted. This blue and white flower can be found in fields and on the sides of highways across the state. Criminals must give their victims 24 hours notice, orally or in writing, to explain the nature of the crime to be committed. (Galveston), It’s illegal to possess realistic dildos. Some of the weirdest laws in Texas are those passed by the state government. If you allow your donkey to sleep in a bathtub, you're an ass. While some state laws can be truly bizarre, city laws can be even stranger. However, when someone is facing criminal charges for breaking the law, it’s important to consult an attorney. Homosexual behavior is a misdemeanor offense. It is illegal to sell one’s eye. Weird Texas Laws It is illegal for children to have unusual haircuts. It is not uncommon for cities or states to pass laws prohibiting public nudity, lewd behavior or public urination but this law tries to go for it all. Law Office of Brett A. Podolsky917 Franklin St. Ste 510Houston, TX 77002. » Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and the Law in Texas. Hours: Monday – Thursday 8:30am – 5:00pm, Friday 8:30am – 3:00pm | By Appointment Whoever came up with the enduring adage “Everything is bigger in Texas” clearly understood Texas to its very core. Crazy Law #1 Allegedly, Texas has a law against drinking more than three sips of beer while standing. TV shows like "The Simpsons" have had a lot of fun with the notion of small towns having peculiar regulations on the books. Butt floss swimsuits are also prohibited in some regions of France. The Texas constitution still has a ban on "homosexual conduct." In fact, many Austin residents are proud of their reputation for being a little strange. “Wire cutters cannot be carried in your pocket in Austin.”. It's illegal to carry away or collect seaweed at night in New Hampshire.