In Alabama, it’s illegal to have an ice cream cone in your back pocket.
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When you picture breaking the law, it’s probably not for something as innocuous as wearing skinny jeans. But in Delaware, it’s technically illegal to wear pants that are “form fitting” at the waist. The weird laws don’t stop there, though. In Alabama, don’t even try to hide that ice cream cone in your back pocket—it’ll land you in trouble! Chronicling this surprising side of the U.S. penal code is photographer Olivia Locher, who depicts these sorts of regulations in her series I Fought the Law.
In stylish, satirical pictures, Locher proves that the truth is often stranger than fiction. Her research into unusual laws in all 50 states has provided the creative fodder for curious scenes like a man on a bicycle in a swimming pool as well as a portrait of a woman who has a quarter in her ear. Utterly bizarre, the amusing photos will make you wonder, “How can that be a law?” But aside from the humor, the project is a serious reminder that hundreds of rules are made every year, including many that we don’t know about. Some of the laws seen here are no longer in effect, but at one time, they did—or still continue to—affect our daily lives.
Since beginning the series in 2014, I Fought the Law has been turned into a book that’s now available for pre-order through Amazon.
Photographer Olivia Locher illustrates weird laws across the U.S. in her series I Fought the Law.
In Nebraska, it’s illegal for a parent to perm their child’s hair without a state license.
In Rhode Island, it’s illegal to wear transparent clothing.
In Maine, it’s unlawful to tickle women under the chin with a feather duster.
In Utah, no one may walk down the street carrying a paper bag containing a violin.
In Delaware, it’s illegal to wear pants that are “form-fitting”around the waist.
In Wisconsin, it’s illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without cheese.
In Texas, it’s illegal for children to have unusual haircuts.
In Pennsylvania, it’s illegal to tie a dollar bill to a string and pull it away when someone tries to pick it up.
In Ohio, it’s illegal to disrobe in front of a man’s portrait.
In Tennessee, hollow logs may not be sold.
In Hawaii, coins are not allowed to be placed in ones ears.
In California, nobody is allowed to ride a bicycle in a swimming pool.
In Delaware, it’s illegal to serve perfume as liquor.
Olivia Locher: Website | Instagram
h/t: [Kottke]
All images via Olivia Locher.
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