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© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Using insecure public Wi-Fi
- Using public Wi-Fi without permission, also known as "piggybacking," can result in fines and potential jail time in specific states. As illustrated by a case in Michigan in 2007, a man was fined $400 for accessing his email through a café's free Wi-Fi while in his car.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Music downloads
- Although streaming services have greatly reduced music piracy, many individuals will recall their experiences on Napster or Limewire, where they would download free, low-quality mp3s.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Streaming programs and films
- According to The Infographic Show, around half of American millennials engage in watching illegal streams. This behavior can have serious consequences, making it wiser to consider subscribing to a legitimate streaming service.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Sharing account password
- Don't assume you can evade streaming service fees by using a friend's password. Be aware that sharing passwords for subscription services is considered a federal offense.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
Using a fake name online
- If fictitious details were provided by you while registering for a website to avoid receiving spam emails, under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, you may be considered as a perpetrator.
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Making a bet with your friends
- According to the Illegal Gambling Act of 1970, betting with friends in activities like poker or workplace fantasy football is prohibited by law. Engaging in such activities, when the amount exceeds $2,000, classifies as operating an illegal gambling operation.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Public drinking
- Even though you may enjoy having a picnic outdoors with wine or stepping out of a bar for some fresh air, it is important to note that drinking in public is generally prohibited across most of the country.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Drunk in public
- Everyone has experienced challenging times, especially during their college years. However, unless you reside in Nevada, Montana, or Missouri, being publicly intoxicated can lead to serious consequences. In Indiana, this can result in a maximum of 180 days imprisonment along with a substantial financial penalty.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Underage drinking
- When it appears that everyone else begins consuming alcohol during their teenage years, it can be challenging to wait until the age of 21. Many individuals are likely to have taken a sip or two before they were legally allowed to do so.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Turning right on a red light
- Although legal in most states, certain locations have more strict regulations. Generally, it goes unnoticed unless encountered by an exceptionally diligent law enforcement officer.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Littering
- Even though you shouldn't engage in it, just a reminder that it is against the law to do so!
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Throwing your old cell phone away
- "E-waste" is deemed illegal in several states due to the harmful chemicals it releases into water supplies, posing health risks.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Jaywalking
- The crosswalk is situated one unit away, but the destination you require is directly across the street. What is the appropriate course of action? The probable response is, regrettably, unlawful, despite certain cities scarcely acknowledging it.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Driving over the speed limit
- According to The Infographics Show, that is the most frequently violated law in the US, which actually results in charges.
© iStock
14 / 30 Fotos
Driving at a slow pace
- Driving at a slower speed due to uncertainty about the highway exit is still unlawful, even though it may cause a slight delay.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Throwing out an old tenant’s mail
- While it may be bothersome to deal with a stack of mail that you believe is insignificant, discarding another person's mail is considered a felony according to the US Code 1702. This code refers to such act as an "obstruction of correspondence."
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Not updating your driver’s license when you move
- When you move, changing your address with the DMV may not be your top priority. However, in most states, it is necessary to do so within a few days.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
Eat before purchasing
- If you consume food before paying, whether it's indulging in a beverage while in queue or nibbling on the fruit already in your cart, you are considered an offender.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
Writing “disturbing” fiction
- Be wary of how unsettling your stories are, as some states prohibit the creation of "disturbing material." A teenager was suspended from school and prevented from graduating just for writing a story that spooked teachers
© iStock
19 / 30 Fotos
Texting while driving
- Using your phone while driving may not seem risky, but fines in several states are substantial. Investing in a hands-free system can save you a significant amount of money.
© iStock
20 / 30 Fotos
Driving past a stop sign
- When was the last time you counted "one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi" before proceeding after a stop sign? We're all guilty of this at some point.
© iStock
21 / 30 Fotos
Sharing medication
- Sharing prescription medication with a loved one, even with good intentions, is illegal and should be avoided to abide by the law.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Not getting a license for your dog
- When you acquire a dog, the paperwork can be an unwanted hassle, especially when your furry friend just wants to have fun. However, in many states, it is required by law to license your dog to ensure proper tracking of their rabies vaccinations.
© iStock
23 / 30 Fotos
Having a permanent marker in public
- According to Cracked, states such as New York and Florida have laws against graffiti that prohibit the possession of "broad-tipped indelible markers" in public areas. Additionally, in certain states, individuals must be over 18 years old to purchase these markers.
© iStock
24 / 30 Fotos
Downloading images from the internet
- Utilizing copyrighted images, such as movie stills or a photographer's work, on platforms like Facebook, blogs, or as wallpapers, may lead to potential legal complications.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Not wearing a seat belt
- It may be tempting to believe that wearing a seatbelt isn't necessary for a short drive, but failing to fasten your seatbelt is a violation of the law. Ensure you buckle up to avoid incurring substantial fines.
© iStock
26 / 30 Fotos
Singing "Happy Birthday"
- Singing the cheerful song publicly was against the law prior to 2016. The song had a copyright worth $25 million in the 1980s, rendering it unlawful for public performance until it entered the public domain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Outdoor urination
- This primarily relates to the challenging times of being a heavily intoxicated college student. However, it is important to note that in most states, the exhibition of genitalia in public is prohibited.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Making a U-turn
- You know you weren’t supposed to do it, and the cops know it too. Will it happen again when no one's around? Probably. More curiosities about what is prohibited in America!
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 30 Fotos
Using insecure public Wi-Fi
- Using public Wi-Fi without permission, also known as "piggybacking," can result in fines and potential jail time in specific states. As illustrated by a case in Michigan in 2007, a man was fined $400 for accessing his email through a café's free Wi-Fi while in his car.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Music downloads
- Although streaming services have greatly reduced music piracy, many individuals will recall their experiences on Napster or Limewire, where they would download free, low-quality mp3s.
© iStock
2 / 30 Fotos
Streaming programs and films
- According to The Infographic Show, around half of American millennials engage in watching illegal streams. This behavior can have serious consequences, making it wiser to consider subscribing to a legitimate streaming service.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Sharing account password
- Don't assume you can evade streaming service fees by using a friend's password. Be aware that sharing passwords for subscription services is considered a federal offense.
© iStock
4 / 30 Fotos
Using a fake name online
- If fictitious details were provided by you while registering for a website to avoid receiving spam emails, under the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, you may be considered as a perpetrator.
© iStock
5 / 30 Fotos
Making a bet with your friends
- According to the Illegal Gambling Act of 1970, betting with friends in activities like poker or workplace fantasy football is prohibited by law. Engaging in such activities, when the amount exceeds $2,000, classifies as operating an illegal gambling operation.
© iStock
6 / 30 Fotos
Public drinking
- Even though you may enjoy having a picnic outdoors with wine or stepping out of a bar for some fresh air, it is important to note that drinking in public is generally prohibited across most of the country.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Drunk in public
- Everyone has experienced challenging times, especially during their college years. However, unless you reside in Nevada, Montana, or Missouri, being publicly intoxicated can lead to serious consequences. In Indiana, this can result in a maximum of 180 days imprisonment along with a substantial financial penalty.
© iStock
8 / 30 Fotos
Underage drinking
- When it appears that everyone else begins consuming alcohol during their teenage years, it can be challenging to wait until the age of 21. Many individuals are likely to have taken a sip or two before they were legally allowed to do so.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Turning right on a red light
- Although legal in most states, certain locations have more strict regulations. Generally, it goes unnoticed unless encountered by an exceptionally diligent law enforcement officer.
© iStock
10 / 30 Fotos
Littering
- Even though you shouldn't engage in it, just a reminder that it is against the law to do so!
© iStock
11 / 30 Fotos
Throwing your old cell phone away
- "E-waste" is deemed illegal in several states due to the harmful chemicals it releases into water supplies, posing health risks.
© iStock
12 / 30 Fotos
Jaywalking
- The crosswalk is situated one unit away, but the destination you require is directly across the street. What is the appropriate course of action? The probable response is, regrettably, unlawful, despite certain cities scarcely acknowledging it.
© iStock
13 / 30 Fotos
Driving over the speed limit
- According to The Infographics Show, that is the most frequently violated law in the US, which actually results in charges.
© iStock
14 / 30 Fotos
Driving at a slow pace
- Driving at a slower speed due to uncertainty about the highway exit is still unlawful, even though it may cause a slight delay.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Throwing out an old tenant’s mail
- While it may be bothersome to deal with a stack of mail that you believe is insignificant, discarding another person's mail is considered a felony according to the US Code 1702. This code refers to such act as an "obstruction of correspondence."
© iStock
16 / 30 Fotos
Not updating your driver’s license when you move
- When you move, changing your address with the DMV may not be your top priority. However, in most states, it is necessary to do so within a few days.
© iStock
17 / 30 Fotos
Eat before purchasing
- If you consume food before paying, whether it's indulging in a beverage while in queue or nibbling on the fruit already in your cart, you are considered an offender.
© iStock
18 / 30 Fotos
Writing “disturbing” fiction
- Be wary of how unsettling your stories are, as some states prohibit the creation of "disturbing material." A teenager was suspended from school and prevented from graduating just for writing a story that spooked teachers
© iStock
19 / 30 Fotos
Texting while driving
- Using your phone while driving may not seem risky, but fines in several states are substantial. Investing in a hands-free system can save you a significant amount of money.
© iStock
20 / 30 Fotos
Driving past a stop sign
- When was the last time you counted "one Mississippi, two Mississippi, three Mississippi" before proceeding after a stop sign? We're all guilty of this at some point.
© iStock
21 / 30 Fotos
Sharing medication
- Sharing prescription medication with a loved one, even with good intentions, is illegal and should be avoided to abide by the law.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Not getting a license for your dog
- When you acquire a dog, the paperwork can be an unwanted hassle, especially when your furry friend just wants to have fun. However, in many states, it is required by law to license your dog to ensure proper tracking of their rabies vaccinations.
© iStock
23 / 30 Fotos
Having a permanent marker in public
- According to Cracked, states such as New York and Florida have laws against graffiti that prohibit the possession of "broad-tipped indelible markers" in public areas. Additionally, in certain states, individuals must be over 18 years old to purchase these markers.
© iStock
24 / 30 Fotos
Downloading images from the internet
- Utilizing copyrighted images, such as movie stills or a photographer's work, on platforms like Facebook, blogs, or as wallpapers, may lead to potential legal complications.
© iStock
25 / 30 Fotos
Not wearing a seat belt
- It may be tempting to believe that wearing a seatbelt isn't necessary for a short drive, but failing to fasten your seatbelt is a violation of the law. Ensure you buckle up to avoid incurring substantial fines.
© iStock
26 / 30 Fotos
Singing "Happy Birthday"
- Singing the cheerful song publicly was against the law prior to 2016. The song had a copyright worth $25 million in the 1980s, rendering it unlawful for public performance until it entered the public domain.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Outdoor urination
- This primarily relates to the challenging times of being a heavily intoxicated college student. However, it is important to note that in most states, the exhibition of genitalia in public is prohibited.
© iStock
28 / 30 Fotos
Making a U-turn
- You know you weren’t supposed to do it, and the cops know it too. Will it happen again when no one's around? Probably. More curiosities about what is prohibited in America!
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Common illegal things nearly every American has done
In your residence, while traveling, at the supermarket, and more
© Getty Images
According to The Infographics Show, around 70% of the US population have engaged in behaviors that could have potentially led to imprisonment. It is important to reevaluate our own actions and acknowledge that innocence may not always be as clear-cut as we believe.
To discover if you are part of this population, click through the gallery and examine the information.
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