New York’s Questionable State of Mind: Silly NY Laws
Attorney Janet Altschuler has dedicated her practice to defending those who face criminal charges in Tucson. While many of the clients who seek out Janet Altschuler for legal representation face trumped-up charges based on wildly outrageous laws, residents of Southern Arizona can at least take comfort in the fact that our state’s questionable laws aren’t nearly as bizarre as some of the laws in New York. As part of our continuing coverage of the weirdest and dumbest laws in America, we now turn our attention to the Empire State.
Adultery is a Misdemeanor
Adultery is certainly immoral, but illegal? Section 255.17 of New York’s penal code states that any person who commits adultery is subject to a class B misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a $500 fine. Although this century-old law is rarely enforced, about a dozen people have been charged with adultery in New York since the 1970s.
A Permit is Necessary to Camp Out on Your Own Land
People are normally allowed to do whatever they want on their own property so long as it doesn’t endanger or seriously disturb anyone else. In New York, however, it is against town ordinances to camp on your own land more than 72 hours a month, and a permit is necessary to camp out for two or more weeks. As if that wasn’t inconvenient enough, those permits can only be obtained once a year.
Distracted Cycling is a Crime
New York is one of many states in America that has passed laws against texting or making phone calls while driving a car, but New York is one of the few that extends the law to cyclists. Like most dumb laws this one is rarely enforced, but six tickets were handed out in 2014 to cyclists who were caught using a cellphone while biking.
If you or someone you care about is facing criminal charges in Tucson, contact Janet Altschuler today to schedule your initial consultation. Janet Altschuler has more than 20 years of experience in criminal law and is committed to providing her clients with the most aggressive legal representation to achieve optimal results. For legal help in Southern Arizona, call (520) 247-1879 or toll-free at (866) 377-7808.
This article is part of a collection of The Most Ridiculous Laws in the United States! Some of these laws are downright hard to believe. Do you know what might be illegal in your state?