25 Laws You Might Be Breaking Without Knowing It

Even though you profess to be a law-abiding citizen, you might be breaking some laws without even realizing it. While laws differ from state to state, there are some common laws that are broken in every state and online.

Being ignorant of the law is not a valid defense. Learn what those laws are so you can stop breaking them because you could be arrested, fined, or jailed, even if you weren't aware of them.

1. Using a Fake Name Online

According to The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, it is illegal to set up a false social media account and post false information online, including your name and birthday. That means most social media users are breaking the law by setting up false accounts for themselves. Even worse is setting up a fake account and claiming to be someone else.

2. Stealing WiFi

It is unlawful to use someone's Wi-Fi without permission. Actually, it is stealing unless you have authorization to use it. Without permission, you might be fined for "Wi-Fi squatting."

According to a 35-year-old U.S. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, it is a felony to access computer systems, including routers, without authorization.

3. Sharing Passwords

It is actually illegal to share your passwords for Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and other paid streaming sites. It became a violation of federal law in 2016. Either customers don't know this, or they ignore the law.

4. Spamming Online

Spamming is the act of sending the same message to large numbers of recipients on the internet. Many popular sites have their own laws against spamming.

If Facebook notices that you're in the habit of sending the same message to a large number of people, it will put you in Facebook jail for about three days for the first offense. That means you are locked out and cannot use the site. The punishment is about a week for the second offense. If it keeps happening, Facebook can ban you from ever using the site again.

If you must send the same message to many people, send it at different times of the day or over several days.

5. Playing Online Pranks

Teenagers and some adults think it's funny to call someone on the telephone or trick someone online as a prank. That type of behavior is considered to be harassment or disorderly conduct. It is illegal to get involved in online pranks.

6. Copyright Laws

Copyright laws depend on what you are copying from someone else's work and claiming as your own. This includes any written work, music, movies, games, books, and other content downloaded or shared without the owner's permission.

7. Photocopying a Textbook

You might have broken a federal copyright law if you have ever photocopied a textbook . How much you copy and what you plan to do with the copyrighted text determines if it is illegal or “fair use” of copyrighted materials. It is illegal to sell pages of a book for students to use in a class.

8. Downloading Music

Most songs are protected under copyright law. That means downloading a song without paying for it is a crime.

9. Hosting a Movie Night at Home or Church Is Illegal

According to copyright laws, if you show a film, television show, or other recordings in public, you’re violating copyright laws. In some states, a person could face a fine of up to $150,000 and other penalties. Many churches do it without knowing that it is illegal.

10. Throwing Away Old Cell Phones

It is illegal to throw away old cell phones and other electronics in several states. The law is to prevent toxins from ending up in landfills. Check with your state to find out how you should properly dispose of them without getting fined.

11. Singing "Macarena" in Public

It is illegal to sing “Macarena” and some other well-known songs in public. Check your own state to make sure you are not breaking any copyrighted music laws.

12. Lying About the Weather

Weather reports are protected by law. If you publish a false weather forecast and claim it’s from the National Weather Service, you could be fined or imprisoned for up to 90 days.

13. Spitting on the Sidewalk

It is better to swallow your saliva than to spit it on sidewalks or in public. The law was enacted to stop the spread of disease.

14. Sitting or Sleeping on the Sidewalk

If no bench is close by, you might be tempted to take a seat on the curb while waiting for someone or a bus. In 53 cities in the United States, it is illegal to sit down on the curb or to lie down on the sidewalk.

15. Walking While Drunk

Most people are aware of laws involving drunk driving. But it is also unlawful to walk on the sidewalk while drunk. Public intoxication is usually a Class C misdemeanor, but each state has its own laws. The fine could be up to $500. You don’t even need to be drunk. You can be arrested if you appear to be intoxicated.

16. Using Someone's Disability Parking Permit

It is illegal in some states to use someone's disability parking permit intended for people with disabilities. In some states, the penalty is up to six months of jail and a fine of $250 to $1,000. If you are disabled, get your own disability parking permit. If you are not disabled, park wherever you can.

17. Hanging Items From the Rearview Mirror

It is illegal in many states to hang air fresheners, fuzzy dice, graduation tassels, masks, a rabbit's foot, and other items from your rearview mirror. Anything dangling from the rearview mirror could be a safety hazard that obstructs the driver's view.

18. Gambling at Home

Check the laws in your state before you host poker games in your house or start an office pool for sporting events. Not all states prohibit gambling at home, but about half of them do. Many people play cards at home. It becomes illegal when money is involved.

19. Throwing Out Other People's Mail

When you move into a new residence, it is not unusual to receive mail belonging to the previous residents. It is a federal offense to throw out any mail belonging to someone else. This applies to all mail, and not just first-class mail.

20. Failure to Update Your Driver’s License

When you move to a new state, it is illegal to continue to use your driver's license from your previous state. The timeframe for updating your driver's license depends on the new state you have moved to.

21. Fishing and Hunting Without a License

Check with your state to find out what the laws are regarding fishing and hunting. Landowners and family members do not need a license to hunt, trap, or fish within the boundaries of their own lands.

22. Failure to Report Lottery Winnings

You should report any lottery winnings over $1,200 when you file your taxes.

23. Not Getting a License for Your Dog

If a dog is found without a license, the owner could be fined. It could be adopted by someone else. If the shelter is overcrowded, the dog could be euthanized.

24. Sharing Prescribed Medicines

It is illegal and dangerous to share prescription medicine. It is a felony, even if you give away just one pill. If the person gets sick or dies because of your medicine, you could be charged. This law also applies to family members in the same household. It is not illegal to share things like aspirin or cough drops.

25. Laws You Know and Break Them Anyway

Two laws have been around so long that most people know about them, but they break those laws anyway.

Littering is something most Americans have admitted to doing. A cigarette butt, soda can, gum wrapper, or a piece of paper thrown on the ground is littering.

Jaywalking is a violation of a traffic law. It is illegal to cross the street at a designated time or place. Jaywalking is a law that many people ignore. In some states, jaywalkers could be fined up to $250.