5 Strange Minnesota Laws You Wont Believe
Strange Laws in Minnesota
Minnesota is known for its unique and sometimes peculiar laws. In this section, we will explore some of the strange laws that exist in the state.
Introduction to Strange Laws
Strange laws are often a source of fascination and amusement. While some of these laws may seem outrageous or unbelievable, they are a part of Minnesota’s legal history. Let’s take a closer look at some of these intriguing laws.
The Myth of Women Needing Permission to Cut Their Hair
One commonly mentioned law claims that it is illegal for a woman to cut her hair without her husband’s permission in Minnesota. However, there is no proof of such a law existing in the state, according to Minnesota Fun Facts. This myth likely originated from a misunderstanding or misinterpretation of the state’s legislation.
Unusual Driving Laws
Minnesota has its fair share of unusual driving laws. For example, it is illegal to operate a vehicle on lakes or rivers without first checking under the vehicle for sleeping persons, except for emergencies. This law aims to prevent individuals from being inadvertently run over while sleeping on frozen bodies of water, ensuring their safety.
Peculiar Public Nuisance Laws
Minnesota has interesting public nuisance laws designed to maintain public decency and prevent offensive acts. According to state law, it is considered a public nuisance if a person disrobes or exposes their private parts in a private or public place within the view of others. These laws aim to uphold community standards and protect public sensibilities (Nicolet Law Office).
Quirky Animal-Related Laws
Minnesota also has its fair share of unique animal-related laws. For instance, it is illegal to throw snowballs with rocks in them. This law aims to prevent injuries caused by dangerous snowball projectiles and promote safe winter activities.
Additionally, Minnesota prohibits crossing state lines with a duck atop one’s head. While this law may seem odd, it is intended to enforce the state’s regulation on peculiar headwear and animal transportation (Nicolet Law Office).
While these laws may seem unusual, it’s important to remember that many of them have historical or cultural relevance. They provide a glimpse into Minnesota’s legal landscape and add a touch of quirkiness to the state’s legal history.
Strange Laws in Other States
While Minnesota may have its fair share of peculiar laws, other states across the country also boast their own assortment of strange and quirky regulations. Let’s take a look at a couple of intriguing examples:
Kansas: Ice Cream on Cherry Pie and Bare-Handed Fishing
In Kansas, you might be surprised to find out that it is actually illegal to serve ice cream on cherry pie. This unusual law, although seemingly arbitrary, remains in effect to this day. So, if you find yourself in Kansas with a hankering for cherry pie à la mode, you’ll have to enjoy them separately.
Another curious law in Kansas prohibits the catching of fish with bare hands. Yes, that’s right, bare-handed fishing is strictly forbidden. While this law may seem peculiar, it is aimed at preserving the well-being of both fish and fishermen, ensuring that proper fishing equipment and techniques are used for ethical and sustainable fishing practices.
Utah: Birds Have the Right of Way and Visible Daylight in Dance Competitions
In Utah, you’ll encounter a law that grants birds the right of way on all highways. This means that if you happen to spot a feathered friend crossing the road, you’ll need to yield and allow them to pass safely. While this may sound unusual, it reflects the state’s commitment to wildlife conservation and the protection of its diverse avian population.
Utah also has an interesting law pertaining to dance competitions. According to the regulations, during these events, visible daylight must be maintained between dance partners. While the intention behind this law may not be entirely clear, it adds an extra layer of uniqueness to dance competitions in the state.
These are just a couple of examples of the strange laws that can be found in states across the United States. Each state has its own assortment of fascinating and sometimes baffling regulations, offering a glimpse into the historical, cultural, and social context in which they were established. So, the next time you find yourself in Kansas or Utah, keep these peculiar laws in mind and embrace the eccentricities that make each state unique.
Landmark Supreme Court Case
Near v. Minnesota: The Supreme Court’s Ruling on Prior Restraints
In the realm of strange laws, it’s important to also explore the legal precedents that have shaped the way we understand and interpret these laws. One such landmark case is Near v. Minnesota, which set an important precedent regarding prior restraints on speech.
In 1931, the U.S. Supreme Court made a significant decision in the case of Near v. Minnesota, ruling that prior restraints on speech are generally unconstitutional, including restraints that forbid the publication of malicious, scandalous, and defamatory content. The case involved allegations against authority figures in a Minneapolis newspaper, resulting in a conviction despite legal actions taken against the newspaper (Justia).
The publisher of The Saturday Press, Jay Near, along with Howard Guilford, faced persecution after publishing allegations against the police chief, mayor, and others in Minneapolis. Despite facing two assassination attempts and legal actions that resulted in injunctions, the newspaper’s disclosures ultimately led to the conviction of a local gangster.
The prosecutor in the case, Floyd Olson, sought a permanent injunction against The Saturday Press, alleging that it violated the Public Nuisance Law by being malicious, scandalous, and defamatory. The state Supreme Court upheld both temporary and permanent injunctions, leading to an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court (Justia).
In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court strongly prohibited prior restraints or government censorship of speech. Justice Hughes emphasized that government officials cannot be trusted to regulate speech before it is made public, extending the rights granted under the Bill of Rights to the states under the Fourteenth Amendment. This ruling has had a lasting impact on the protection of free speech and the press in the United States.
The Near v. Minnesota case specifically found a Minnesota statute unconstitutional, as it allowed public authorities to bring a publisher to court for publishing scandalous and defamatory matter, thus giving rise to prior restraint on publication. The Court emphasized that the guarantee against previous restraint extends to publications charging official misconduct.
The ruling in Near v. Minnesota played a crucial role in safeguarding the freedom of the press and limiting government control over what can be published. It serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting individuals’ rights to express themselves and share information without unnecessary and unconstitutional prior restraints.
Strange Laws in Minnesota
In our exploration of strange laws across the United States, let’s take a closer look at some peculiar laws specific to the state of Minnesota. While some of these laws may seem outrageous or unbelievable, it’s important to note that not all of them are verifiable or still in effect. Nevertheless, they provide some interesting anecdotes about the state’s legal history.
The Myth of Women Needing Permission to Cut Their Hair
One commonly mentioned strange law in Minnesota is the claim that women need their husband’s permission to cut their hair. However, there is no proof of such a law existing in the state, and it is often regarded as a myth. Despite its lack of validity, this law has gained attention due to its peculiarity.
Unusual Driving Laws
Minnesota has its fair share of unique driving laws. For instance, it is illegal to operate a vehicle on lakes or rivers, except for emergencies, without first checking under the vehicle for sleeping persons. This law aims to prevent individuals from being inadvertently run over while sleeping on frozen bodies of water (Nicolet Law Office).
Peculiar Public Nuisance Laws
Minnesota also has some interesting public nuisance laws. According to state law, it is considered a public nuisance if a person disrobes or exposes their private parts in a private or public place within the view of others. This law serves to maintain public decency and prevent offensive acts in view of others.
Quirky Animal-Related Laws
When it comes to animals, Minnesota has a law that prohibits entering Wisconsin with a chicken on one’s head. While this law may seem bizarre, it serves as a humorous reminder of the friendly rivalry between the neighboring states of Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Another interesting law in Minnesota prohibits the act of throwing snowballs with rocks in them. This law aims to prevent injuries caused by dangerous snowball projectiles and promote safe winter activities across the state (Nicolet Law Office).
While these laws may leave us scratching our heads, it’s important to remember that some of them may have been created for specific historical or cultural reasons. Nonetheless, they add an element of eccentricity to Minnesota’s legal landscape.
To further explore strange laws in other states, check out our articles on strange laws in US states.