When the Law Meets Absurdity LEGALLY UNBELIEVABLE
There are some outlandish laws in the U.S., but you can also get away with plenty of surprising things. Let’s dive into some of the crazy laws from around the country.
least surgeons usually do have a limit on how long they can work at once, curtailing the worst outcomes of an exhausted doctor.
Shockingly Illegal Car Cursing
Surprisingly Legal Flame On
While in Maryland, you should be mindful of keeping your swear words to yourself (or whisper them softly) while driving through the small city of Rockville. It is considered a misdemeanor to swear from a vehicle within earshot of other people. Your curse words could cost you up to $100 in fines or 90 days in jail. Blindingly Obvious Driving blindfolded has never been a good idea, but that clearly didn’t stop adventurous residents in Alabama from testing their blind driving skills. Maybe that’s why the state passed a law making blindfolded driving illegal.
Owning a flamethrower is surprisingly legal and easy in 48 states. The only state where you can’t own one is Maryland. And if you want a flamethrower in California, you must get a license. The rest of the states say, fire away! Car Radar Another surprising law concerns radar detectors: In most states, utilizing a radar detector in your personal vehicle is completely legal. Do you want to check someone’s speed or look out for police officers? Unless you live in Mississippi, Virginia, Washington, D.C., or on a military base, it’s entirely legal! Sleepy Surgery There are absolutely no laws that state surgeons must get a good night’s sleep before surgery. As dangerous as this sounds, at
Keep an open ear and be mindful of what is legal and what is not. Nobody wants weird laws creating dumb criminals!
damages. You also must ensure you don’t harm the tree — you may incur damages if you do so. You can accidentally harm a tree in many ways, so it might pay to hire a professional. If you destroy the neighbor’s tree, you may be fined triple its worth. This can amount to thousands of dollars; if it is a heritage, ornamental, or otherwise fancy tree, you may owe tens of thousands. Be careful when trimming, and beware of the tree’s roots when gardening. You should communicate with your neighbors if you have any concerns and ensure they’re informed before you start trimming. What if the branch falls? When the worst happens and a tree falls on your property, who’s liable then? The answer is a little more complicated. The owner isn’t responsible if their tree is alive, even if its branches and roots damage the surrounding houses. You’ll have to pay for any damage that a living tree causes. If the tree is dead, however, the owner is liable and will have to compensate you if their tree falls on your property. It’s not always clear that a tree is dead, though. If a tree shows apparent signs of decay like rot or disease, owners must adhere to a “reasonable care standard” to protect their neighbors. Tree law and liability are nuanced. There are exceptions to almost every rule, varying from state to state. Contact an attorney if you need help navigating the branches of tree law.
THE RULES ON TRIMMING BRANCHES FROM A NEIGHBOR’S TREE Branch Boundaries
We’ve all been there. A branch looms over your yard, threatening your property. It can do all sorts of damage if it breaks off from drought or a storm. You’d like to trim it to ensure the safety of your home and garden, but the branch belongs to a neighbor’s tree. What do you do? Who is liable? If the tree hangs over your property, you can trim it to the boundary line. If you cut anywhere past the line, you’re liable for
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