7 Bizarre NJ Laws That You Probably Didn’t Know About

Many states have strange laws on the books that have become outdated over time or that never really made much sense in the first place. For instance, a law in Arizona declares that residents cannot refuse to give a glass of water to a person who asks for one. Additionally, there is a law in Oklahoma that prohibits women from doing their own hair unless first obtaining a state license. The reality is that many states and counties across the U.S. have odd laws that don’t make a whole lot of sense – and that are not likely to be enforced by police or prosecutors.

Some of the nation’s most bizarre laws are on the books in New Jersey. Here are a few NJ laws that you might not have known about:

1.     It is illegal to sell handcuffs to minor. For some reason, the NJ Criminal Code explicitly bars the sale of handcuffs to individuals under the age of 18. Anyone caught violating this law can be charged with a disorderly persons offense. The penalty for illegally selling handcuffs to a minor is six months in the county jail.

2.     It is against the law to wear a bulletproof vest while attempting to commit a violent crime. N.J.S.A. 2C:39-13 stipulates that anyone who wears a body vest while committing a violent crime such as murder, manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, or kidnapping can face enhanced penalties.

3.     It is against the law to sell a car on Sundays. If you are thinking about purchasing a motor vehicle in New Jersey, you might not want to wait until the weekend to do it. That’s because N.J.S.A. 2C:33-26 prohibits anyone from engaging in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging cars on a Sunday.

4.     Drivers cannot pump their own gas. This is a law that most motorists in New Jersey are well aware of. What you might not realize is that NJ police are serious about enforcing this law, so do not make the mistake of attempting to pump your own gas. Not only can drivers be ticketed, gas station owners can also receive tickets for allowing a customer to serve themselves.

5.     Residents of Raritan cannot swear. If you are passing through the Borough of Raritan NJ, you should make sure to be on your best behavior. That’s because local law enforcement has the authority to issue a ticket to anyone who swears in public.

6.     Residents of Bernards Township cannot frown. The idea that the government can mandate happiness may seem ridiculous, but that didn’t stop local legislators in Bernards Township NJ from officially banning individuals from frowning within township limits.

7.     Residents of Caldwell cannot dance on Main Street. In a legislative move straight out of the movie Footloose, Caldwell NJ officials passed a law that prohibits anyone from dancing on Main Street. Why just Main Street? It’s unclear – and also bizarre.

If you have been charged with a crime in Atlantic County, NJ, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. The experienced, aggressive criminal defense lawyers at the Law Offices of John W. Tumelty can help you fight your criminal charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact us anytime to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.