Louisiana is a unique state because our laws are unlike any other state---they are actually based on the Napoleonic code. While many of our laws make sense and are shared with pretty much every other state, there are a few weird laws in Louisiana that stand out from the rest. Here are some of the craziest laws on the books in the Pelican State. You may have even broken some of these laws without ever knowing it! Don't worry, these particular laws aren't really enforced.
1. In Louisiana, it’s illegal to lie. It’s also illegal to make a promise and not keep it—but only if you knew you weren’t going to keep it before you made it.
In the law, lying is called ‘false swearing’.
2. Minors cannot play coin-operated foosball unless they are accompanied by an adult.
This one is perhaps one of the weirdest laws in Louisiana. Apparently, skee-ball is permitted. Makes you wonder why they had to put this strange law in the books, right?
3. If you’re going to feed your hogs some garbage, you have to cook it first.
And you can’t go to your friend’s house to cook the garbage either—you have to do it on your own premises.
4. It is expressly illegal to steal a person’s alligator---and can lead to a penalty of up to 10 years in jail!
It doesn’t matter if that person’s alligator is dead or alive.
5. Horses may not be tied to a tree on a public highway.
Additionally, the horse can’t stand in any manner that could injure a tree.
6. In Sulphur, LA, it’s illegal to make a phone call and use any profane or indecent language.
We're betting this is one of those weird laws in Louisiana that gets broken more often than you'd think. It’s also illegal to make a call and then intentionally ‘fail to hang up’.
7. It’s illegal to play a game on a neutral ground unless the area is designated as a playground.
And if you want to play a game in Lafayette Square, you must obtain written permission.
8. In New Orleans, any rider of a bicycle, tricycle, or other vehicle propelled by hand or foot must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
We wonder where this leaves unicycles?
9. In Louisiana, you cannot shoot lasers at police officers.
Police officers apparently aren’t like cats.
10. No reptiles are allowed within 200 yards of a Mardi Gras parade.
Guess they learned that snakes and parades don’t mix... this lesson may have been learned the hard way!
Be honest, how many of these weird laws in Louisiana have you broken? Let us know in the comments below! Want to learn more fun facts about Louisiana? Check out our article on how some of the strangest town names in Louisiana earned their names.
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