1. In Some European Countries, Escaping From Prison Is Not Considered a Crime
In the United States, escaping from prison can add an extra five years to a convict’s sentence. However, in several European countries, escaping prison is not a criminal offense. Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands do not punish inmates for escaping.
In Scandinavian countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, even those convicted of serious crimes like murder can enter the “open” prison system. These facilities are far from the traditional, secure prisons, with no bars or restrictive cells. Inmates live in rooms resembling college dorms, equipped with their own bathrooms, showers, and flat-screen TVs. Additionally, they are allowed to leave the facility during the day for work or to visit family.
While Belgium and Germany don’t offer the same open prison system, there are still no laws that punish inmates for escaping. In these countries, prisoners only face further punishment if they commit another crime, such as assault or property damage, during their escape attempt.
In the Netherlands, while escaping does not result in additional prison time, any individual caught helping the escapees may face up to four years of extra sentencing.
2. In Some States, Turning Left at a Red Light Is Legal, But Not Everywhere
While many drivers are familiar with the rule allowing a right turn at a red light when the intersection is clear, fewer know that in some states, turning left at a red light is also permitted.
In states like California, Alaska, Idaho, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington, drivers can make a left turn at a red light if they’re turning from one one-way street to another. However, this is only allowed unless there’s a sign explicitly prohibiting it. On the other hand, in states such as Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Rhode Island, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, and North Carolina, left turns at red lights are never allowed.
Drivers in Missouri generally follow this rule, except for those in Kansas City. In South Dakota, it’s prohibited unless local laws say otherwise, and in New York City, drivers must stop and wait at every red light, no matter which direction they’re turning.
3. Women Are Allowed to Go Topless in 6 US States
After Brit Hoagland and Samantha Six won their legal battle against Ft. Collins, Colorado, a landmark decision was made that legalized women going topless in public in six U.S. states: Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a law that had previously banned women from removing their shirts in public.
As part of the #FreeTheNipple movement, Hoagland and Six argued that everyone should have the right to take their shirts off on a hot day, regardless of gender. They contended that forcing women to wear shirts in public was a violation of equal rights. The court ruled in their favor, affirming the need for gender equality in public attire.
Hoagland expressed her belief in equality, saying:
“No matter how you look, you should have the same freedom as the person next to you. And it’s also about equality. Addressing small parts of inequality can make a big difference in how people are treated on a day-to-day basis, and I thought ‘Free the Nipple’ was just one small step closer to how it should be.”
4. There Are No State or Federal Laws Against Counting Cards
Individuals with the ability to count cards successfully at a casino are not violating any state or federal laws. While casinos have the authority to ban card counters from their tables, there are no legal penalties like jail time or fines for this strategy.
However, there are other circumstances where card counters may face arrest. Since casinos are private property and often use advanced security systems, security personnel can ask individuals caught counting cards to leave and ban them from returning. If a banned individual attempts to return, they may face arrest, and charges can be pressed.
Additionally, other criminal activities such as using electronic devices to assist with card counting, assaulting casino staff, or causing disturbances could lead to legal consequences.
5. Driving Barefoot Is Not Illegal In Any State, But It’s Not Recommended
Many people believe driving barefoot is illegal, but the truth is, there is no state law that prohibits it. In the 1990s, Jason Heimbaugh wrote to every state to inquire about their stance on the matter, and all states confirmed that driving barefoot is allowed.
However, just because it’s legal doesn’t mean it’s advisable. Wearing shoes helps provide even pressure and better control over the pedals, making it easier to accelerate and brake safely. A barefoot driver is more likely to slip off the pedals, which can lead to dangerous situations.
6. Police Are Allowed to Lie to You
While law enforcement expects honesty from citizens during questioning, police officers are legally allowed to lie during interrogations. Undercover officers, for instance, do not have to disclose their true identities and can even deceive suspects about their ability to secure a search warrant. They may also mislead individuals by suggesting that a conversation is “off the record” while later using the information as evidence.
Deception is a widely used tactic in police interrogations across the country. Officers often rely on lies to encourage confessions, such as falsely claiming they’ve found DNA at a crime scene, suggesting they’ve obtained DNA from a suspect’s drinking glass, asserting that there are eyewitnesses or recording devices present, or even alleging the suspect failed a polygraph test.
7. You Can Legally Flip Off The Cops
While it may not be the best move, the First Amendment grants Americans the right to flip off police officers and express frustration with crude gestures or words. However, it’s important to be mindful of language, as “fighting words” or threats are not protected by free speech laws.
If vulgar language accompanies the middle finger, it could be considered disorderly conduct or a criminal threat by the officer, leading to a ticket or possible arrest. Additionally, some local laws, like those in Fairfax, VA, make swearing in public illegal.
Experts at Suhre and Associates, LLC, caution that even a routine traffic stop can escalate into a tense situation. Officers, especially those feeling threatened or provoked, may use the law to impose harsh fines or penalties.
8. Tax Avoidance Is Legal, but Tax Evasion Is a Crime
While it’s illegal for taxpayers to intentionally avoid paying or underreport their taxes, that’s known as tax evasion, tax avoidance is perfectly legal. The IRS allows citizens to reduce their tax burden by claiming various deductions.
Some common deductions include child tax credits, student loan interest, charitable donations, mortgage interest, and even gambling losses. Certain occupations, like teachers or freelancers, may also qualify for additional tax breaks.
As long as individuals can substantiate their claims, they can legally reduce their tax liabilities.
9. You Are Legally Allowed to Talk About Your Salary with Your Co-Workers
Federal law grants employees the right to talk about their wages with their co-workers, even while on the job, much to the potential frustration of employers. Under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, this right applies to employees of private companies, and in 2014, President Barack Obama expanded this protection to federal employees via an executive order.
Employees can discuss their salaries in person, via written messages, emails, or social media. These conversations are permitted in the workplace as long as the employer allows personal discussions unrelated to work. However, once employees leave the office, they are free to talk about their wages at any time and in any setting.
Additionally, employees have the right to form unions, join outside unions for support, and gather collectively to address wage concerns with their employer.
It is also illegal for employers to retaliate against employees for discussing their wages, including actions like threatening, questioning, or monitoring their conversations.
10. Killing a Praying Mantis Isn’t Illegal (But It’s Best to Avoid It)
Contrary to a popular myth that dates back to the 1950s, it is not illegal to kill a praying mantis. While some species of mantises in other parts of the world are endangered, the varieties found in North America are not at risk, and no state or federal laws protect them from being killed.
That said, it’s still a good idea to leave praying mantises undisturbed if you’re a gardener or simply don’t like pests. These fascinating insects help control the population of harmful bugs that damage crops, making them valuable to ecosystems. By keeping them around, farmers can reduce their reliance on pesticides, benefiting both the environment and their crops.
11. Private Businesses Can Refuse Service to More People Than You Realize
Private businesses have more leeway than many people realize when it comes to denying service. While federal laws prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, veteran status, national origin, and citizenship, businesses are not required to serve everyone. Some states, like New York and California, extend protections to include sexual orientation, but other states may not have such anti-discrimination laws for the LGBTQ+ community.
That means, outside of these protected categories, private businesses can refuse service for various reasons. Business owners can point to policies like dress codes, guest lists, or concerns about disruptive behavior as legitimate grounds for denying service. They can also refuse entry for reasons related to health and safety, such as customers not wearing shoes, shirts, or even masks.
As First Amendment attorney David Reymann explains, “You can set the terms of what happens in your business. There’s no requirement to allow someone in, whether they’re carrying a gun or not wearing a face mask. If it’s your business, you have the right to set those rules.”
12. It’s Completely Legal to Remove a Mattress Tag
When buying a new mattress, many people are surprised to see a warning on the tag that says “Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law.” However, this warning is not directed at the consumer, but rather at the manufacturers.
Historically, mattresses were made from a variety of materials, and manufacturers could falsely claim their products were made from high-quality materials, even if they weren’t. To protect customers, the government introduced regulations requiring manufacturers to list the materials used in the mattress.
Some unscrupulous sellers, however, would remove the tags before placing the mattresses in showrooms to avoid disclosing their low-quality materials, allowing them to sell them at higher prices. Once the government identified this loophole, they amended the law to make it illegal to remove the tags, ensuring customers were not misled.
However, this caused confusion, as consumers believed they couldn’t remove the tag at all. To clear things up, in the 1990s, the wording on the tag was changed to read: “Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law Except by the Consumer,” meaning that it’s perfectly legal for you to remove the tag once you’ve bought the mattress.
