Singles' Sex No Longer a Va. Crime

[sunnidae]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10729-2005Jan14.html

The state Supreme Court yesterday struck down as unconstitutional a 19th-century Virginia law making it a crime for unmarried couples to have sex.

"We find no principled way to conclude . . . that the Virginia statute criminalizing intercourse between unmarried persons does not improperly abridge a personal relationship that is within the liberty interest of persons to choose," said the decision, written by Justice Elizabeth B. Lacy.

I had no idea we were breaking the law -- welll, at least not THAT one -- all those years ago!

[cyd]

I remember someone telling me at one point that if you spent enough time looking through the VA state code, you'd find that the only way sex is legal in the state of VA is (in this case I suppose WAS) between a married couple (obviously opposite gender, since VA is one of the states that prohibits even other-state same sex marriage from being acknowledged), on the top floor of your primary place of residence (so no hotels or having nookie in the basement), in the bedroom (so also no nookie in the bathroom or kitchen), with the curtains drawn (so no exhibition), the lights out, in the missionary position (I'm not even going to go into everything that prohibits).

At least one part of it is now invalid. :)

[Galleywench]

Amazing what laws have gotten on the books!

Wonder if the founding fathers would agree with those or are they rolling in their graves? (My guess is Franklin is laughing)

[Muireadach - PirateRogue]

There is Actually a LAW Still on the books that says "No Bathtub In the House". There are lots of laws that they don't bother to remove becauae it just takes time and money.

[Cassandra from VTRF]

I have seen some doozies.. Like the one where all horses have to wear diapers on their butts while walking in town.

A man and woman can't kiss in public.

A woman can't drive unless her husband is walking in front of the car, honking a horn to alert everyone....

I can look up more if anyone is interested.

[Gemdrite]

Here is a good site for dumb laws, and not just ones in the US

http://www.dumblaws.com/

Enjoy! :)

[Emrld]

Some of the laws are also left in the book so that Police Officers can establish probable cause.
In Texas (formerly cattle country) it is illegal to carry wire cutters in your back pocket. I have heard of officers using that as a reason to stop someone walking down the sidewalk that they thought were up to something else. (And yes the man did have enough dope on him that it was an intent to sell charge)
And as it was stated earlier it is amazing the expense that goes into changing a state law.

[biker]

I can only imagine how long me and the xwife would have been locked up for.... :twisted:

[cyd]

Well shoot... According to dumblaws.com I am right about the sex with the lights off and only in the missionary position, but they don't have the link to the full text of the law(s)... ARGH.

Always nice if you can get confirmation from a legal source, dammit. *smirk*

(of course, in Lebanon, VA it's illegal to kick your wife out of bed...)

[biker]

(of course, in Lebanon, VA it's illegal to kick your wife out of bed...)

what if there's more room on the floor??

OOOPPPPS was that my outside voice?

[Eric McTavish]

In New Albany Indiana (30 min form me) it's illeagal to walk thru downtown with an Ice Cream Cone in your pocket...

I would like to know the story behind that one!

[Phoenix McHeit]

I have a whole book on these kinds of laws. Titled "Why Donkeys Can't Sleep In Bathtubs, and Other Funny (but true) laws"

In CT, kids cannot charm bees away from a beekeeper.

In Los Altos Hills, CA, if there are 2 or more joggers together, they must have a permit.

Dunn, NC - you cannot snore so loudly that you wake your neighbor.

Athens, GA - No pinball games allowed

Gary, IN - you cannot eat garlic if you're going into the theater.

MS - the State Librarian MUST be a woman

In Richmond, VA - you may not flip a coin to see who pays for coffee.

KS - all homes must show the American Flag on Mother's Day

TN - if you challenge someone to a duel and he refuses, you are not permitted to call him a coward



There's a bunch more, but those are some of my favorites.

Also - I personally know the guy in this story: It seems there was a law on the books here in PA that stated that when released from jail, a man must be given a horse, a gun, and a gold coin, with which to begin a new life. He sued, and won. Although he bargained about the horse - he had nowhere to keep it. :shock: So that law was changed in a hurry - never mind the expense!

[Blue Pixie]

Damn if some of the laws were in place Joe and I would be screwed! (no pun intended :twisted:)

[Gemdrite]

Some of my personal favorites are from Texas, and include:

A recently passed anticrime law requires criminals to give their victims 24 hours notice, either orally or in writing, and to explain the nature of the crime to be committed.

It is illegal to take more than three sips of beer at a time while standing.

in Abilene - It is illegal to idle or loiter anyplace within the corporate limits of the city for the purpose of flirting or mashing.

in Galveston - Landing an airplane on the beach is illegal.

in Houston - Beer may not be purchased after midnight on a Sunday, but it may be purchased on Monday.

and in San Antonio - It is illegal for both sexes to flirt or respond to flirtation using the eyes and/or hands.

Each state has its own little idiotic laws, but Texas has my favorites. There are also some that state that any person deemed ugly may not walk in public in the daytime, or that women cannot wear high heels on the sidewalks.