12 Illegal Things Everyone Has Done At Least Once in Their Lives
While some are done with ignorance, others have been done so repeatedly to the extent that we believe they are legal. However, most of the things we see as normal are actually illegal. Whether it’s taking sneaky shortcuts or creating aliases online, these everyday actions can get you in trouble with the authorities.
Downloading Music
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Ever nabbed a free song online? The Digital Millennium Copyright Act may deal with you. Despite the legal risk, the temptation of free music is hard to resist. Napster’s downfall in 2001 is one of the most memorable incidents. However, it’s a digital rebellion we’ve all joined.
Littering
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Once in your life, you have knowingly or unknowingly dropped something on the streets. This is an illegal act, and anti-littering laws, like the Clean Air Act, prohibit it. The seriousness of this offense was revealed in Ohio, where a man was fined $500 for tossing a cigarette butt.
Online Streaming
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Who hasn’t watched a movie on a sketchy site? While this is often convenient, it’s illegal under the Copyright Act. This has not stopped the temptation of free entertainment. MPAA once sued 123Movies, once called “the world’s most popular illegal site.” Even the most honest folks have peeked.
Throwing Away Electronics
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Throwing your broken phone away for an upgraded one is not something you are unfamiliar with. However, you must be aware of the Hazardous Waste Regulations, which forbid such. However easy it may seem, it’s still illegal. Businesses have been fined up to $10,000 for improper e-waste disposal.
Using Your Cell Phone While Driving
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It’s not uncommon that your phone will distract you once in a while as you drive. This is illegal, and you must have heard or seen someone get penalized for it. A near-miss accident attracted a $162 fine after it was revealed that the driver was checking a text.
Jaywalking
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We have all crossed the street outside the crosswalk. Harmless as it may seem, jaywalking actually breaks the law. But shortcuts are hard to resist. New York City’s Vision Zero is one of the most robust legal provisions that deals with jaywalking. Even the most law-abiding citizens have done it.
Driving Over the Speed Limit
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The temptation to push the pedal a little further is sometimes irresistible. This is something we all know is unlawful. Speed limits exist for a reason, but we’re often in a rush. Despite the risks and penalties, everyone’s been guilty of speeding occasionally. However cautious you are!
Turning Right on Red
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Most of us are unaware that even though you can turn right on red, you must come to a complete stop first. It’s a traffic offense that could have you paying fines. If you watch the “Caught in Providence” show, you’ll find many such cases. It’s also mostly banned in New York City.
Public Intoxication
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Public intoxication is so common that we have forgotten about its lack of legal backing. If you are found intoxicated in public, you are going to face legal consequences. Since we are rarely caught, we have made it the norm. A man once rode a horse while drunk and was arrested in Texas.
Using a Fake Name Online
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Signing up with a fake name online is a common strategy for remaining anonymous. However, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act prohibits it. But anonymity is alluring. In 2013, the FTC fined a company for creating fake online reviews. However honest you are, you’ve crafted a virtual alter-ego.
Urban Exploration
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This is just trespassing, given a fancy name. Exploring abandoned buildings is forbidden by law. It’s just curiosity that wins most of the time. In 2015, a group was fined for climbing the Brooklyn Bridge to take photos. This is a perfect example of curiosity getting you into trouble with the law.
Driving Under the Speed Limit
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Sounds interesting, right? Traffic laws mandate that you maintain a minimum speed. In some situations, you pose a danger to other motorists when you go slow. Don’t be surprised if you one day get ticketed for driving slowly. It’s not safe all the time.