Blog Posts - INSTANT LAW BLOG

INSTANT LAW BLOG

Bizarre, Antiquated Laws

1/11/2019

PART IV: MAKE A CHANGE

Across the pond, Vice writer Oobah Butler got so fed up with a bunch of old laws that he traipsed around London breaking as many as he could in front of law enforcement. From shaking out rugs after 8 a.m. in a certain district to handling salmon under suspicious circumstances, he broke a whole slew of laws—and wasn’t arrested.

When one can do something like that, it’s clear that those laws are a waste of space. This is especially true because sometimes, these crazy old laws are dusted off and used to arrest people going about their normal, acceptable 21st century lives. If you’re fed up with a silly old law in your state, check out what other concerned citizens have done to make a change.

Bizarre, Antiquated Laws

1/11/2019

Part III: How to Fight Them

If you ever find yourself in violation of a law that should no longer exist, what are your options? In the last part of our series we looked at various cases in which strange, outdated laws forbidding such activities as oral sex or swearing in front of women and children were used to arrest people in the modern age. Luckily, if you find yourself in trouble for, say, collecting seaweed at night in New Hampshire, you do have some options.

How to Fight Charges from Old Laws

1. Get a Lawyer
This may seem obvious, but if you’re serious about fighting your unjust charges and are facing a punishment more serious than a small fine, you need a lawyer. A lawyer can best advise you on the specifics of your case and help you avoid a mark on your record or jail time.

Bizarre, Antiquated Laws

1/11/2019

Part II: Why Use Them?

Bizarre, Antiquated Laws

1/7/2019

Part 1: An Introduction

As the old Cole Porter song says, “Times have changed.” And in the hundreds of years since The United States of America came into being, countless laws have been added to the books that would never even be considered today. Some of these laws are downright discriminatory, while others just seem ridiculous.

But the truth is, these acts are still considered illegal, and law enforcement sometimes use these antiquated restrictions to arrest people. In the first part of our series, we’ll take a look at some of the strangest laws that could, despite their obvious lunacy, still land people fines or even jail time.

Terrorist Tweeters in trouble

1/4/2019

What the Law Says about Threatening Twitter Messages

In 2014, a 14-year-old Dutch teenager thought it would be hilarious to tweet a terror threat.

"Hello my name's Ibrahim and I'm from Afghanistan. I'm part of Al Qaida and on June 1st I'm gonna do something really big bye," she wrote, tagging American Airlines. Here Twitter account identified her as Sarah.

American Airlines didn’t think the tweet was so funny. Six minutes later, they responded with this message:

“Sarah, We take these threats very seriously. Your IP address and details will be forwarded to security and the FBI.”

Although this sparked a maelstrom of retractions from the teen, including “I’m so sorry I’m scared now,” and “I’m just a girl,” it was too late for Sarah. She was arrested and charged with "posting a false or alarming announcement" under Dutch law. She also garnered attention from international news and thus from the global public. Some castigated her; others defended her.

grinches behind bars

1/3/2019

The Legal Repercussions of Stealing Packages and Christmas Decorations

With the deluge of brown paper packages and glimmering Christmas decorations gracing front porches in December, there was also an uptick in something less cheerful: stealing property off porches. In this day and age, though, some of these thieves are getting caught on home security cameras. While some of these homeowners are resorting to vigilante justice—planting dung-filled packages on their porches, for instance—what are the legal options for homeowners who obtain footage of neighbors sneaking off with the Christmas wreath or holiday gifts?

mayhem in the music world

11/5/2018

David Daniels, Opera Star, Accused of Sexual Assault

Operas usually contain a lot of drama—murder, affairs, wars, suicide, rape. Sometimes, that drama leaks from the stage into the lives of those who sing this prodigious art form.

David Daniels, famed countertenor, joined the University of Michigan faculty in the fall of 2015. Just three years later, just after being promoted to a tenured position, he found himself on paid leave after two men, one a University of Michigan student, accused him of sexual assault. Daniels, 52, has not yet been charged with a crime. It is not clear whether he has hired an attorney.

vilified victim part II

10/23/2018

The #MeToo Movement and False Accusations

We recently covered the case of T.F., a boy whose parents filed a federal lawsuit after he was falsely accused of sexual assault on two different occasions. The lawsuit is culturally salient for several reasons, one of which is the #MeToo. This movement, which felled dozens of seemingly infallible public figures and encouraged everyone to believe victims, has also highlighted the rare occasions when an accusation is not justifiable.

vilified victim vindicated

10/22/2018

Seneca Valley School District, District Attorney Richard Goldinger, Parents of Students Named in Federal Lawsuit for False Sexual Assault Claims

Michael J. and Alecia Flood of Zelienople, Pennsylvania have filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of their son, who was accused of sexual assault by girls who “didn’t like him,” according to news reports. The lawsuit has been brought against the Seneca Valley school district, Butler County District Attorney Richard Goldinger’s office, and the parents of the five girls who allegedly made the false accusations. It is now being referred to as the "Mean Girls" lawsuit in national press.

naked sprint at theme park

10/15/2018

Adrian Gilbert Cardenas Arrested for Indecent Exposure

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is a popular theme park in Virginia developed by Anhauser-Busch, the famed beer company, and owned by SeaWorld Entertainment. Normally, the main attractions at the park include its European-themed sections, distinctive landscaping, and award-winning roller coasters. It does not usually include nude men traversing its parking lots, but on Friday night, that did seem to be the center of attention.