15 Innocent Crimes Americans Accidentally Commit
Do you share your Netflix password with others? Swipe a pen from the office occasionally? Cross the street outside of an intersection?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may have broken the law without knowing it. In the United States, many laws exist to protect people’s safety. While some laws are well known, others may surprise you.
This list describes 15 crimes Americans may have committed, even unknowingly, at the federal, state, and local levels. Keep track of how many laws you may have broken. The final number might surprise you.
1: Jaywalking
Have you ever looked both ways and quickly crossed in the middle of a street rather than walking down to the crosswalk on the corner? You may have violated the traffic laws in your area. Many states have laws against jaywalking, though the severity of the infraction varies widely depending on where you live.
Recently, some cities and states have taken steps to decriminalize jaywalking. In California, for example, it’s no longer against the law to jaywalk as long as you do it safely.
2: Speeding
Whether you’ve taken your eyes off the speedometer for a few seconds or are driving in another state, you may have been guilty of inadvertently speeding at some point. Maximum speed limits on interstates and other roads vary depending on the state, and going over a posted limit is a violation of the law.
The penalty for speeding can depend on several factors, including how fast you were going, your location, and your driving record. If you already have multiple speeding infractions, for example, the penalty may be more severe.
3: Hanging Air Fresheners
If you’ve ever gone to the car wash, you may have received a pine-scented air freshener and hung it from the rearview mirror without a second thought. But in many states, it’s illegal to hang objects that obstruct your view of the road.
It’s not just air fresheners that can cause you to break the law unknowingly. Anything you hang from a rearview mirror, such as tassels or rosaries, also falls into this category.
4: Opening Someone Else’s Mail
Postal workers deliver tons of mail each day, and sometimes a neighbor’s bill or letter may end up in your mailbox by accident. If you open someone else’s mail intentionally, you’ve committed a crime. However, there are exceptions if you mistakenly open another person’s mail.
If you receive a letter that’s not addressed to you, it’s a good idea to put it back in the mail. Simply write “return to sender” or “not at this address” on the envelope.
5: Not Updating Driver’s License
When you move, you’re required to update your driver’s license with your new address. The timeline for changing your address varies based on where you’re moving. In particular, an out-of-state move can cause confusion for a driver who isn’t aware of the laws in their new state.
For example, California only gives you 10 days to update your driver’s license after moving to the state. Check the rules of your new state before moving to make sure you’re a law-abiding driver.
6: Sharing Your Streaming Passwords
Do you share your Netflix password with a friend or a co-worker? Technically, it’s against the site’s terms of service.
Many American legal experts agree that password sharing falls into a gray area, and no one has ever gone to court for the issue. However, individual platforms can punish serial sharers by suspending their accounts.
7: Using Unsecured Wi-Fi
If you’ve ever connected to a public Wi-Fi network without the owner’s permission, you may have committed a crime. The laws against unauthorized Wi-Fi use, known as piggybacking, vary widely by jurisdiction.
These days, many American businesses, such as cafes, coffee shops, and hotels, require you to use a password to connect to their Wi-Fi. In these cases, you can rest assured you’re not doing anything wrong.
8: Throwing Away Electronics
It’s hard to know what to do with your old electronics, and it may seem easy to toss your phone in the trash once you upgrade to a new model. But some states have established laws for recycling old electronics.
Currently, 25 states and the District of Columbia have rules for electronics recycling, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Many areas offer recycling centers where you can take old computers, televisions, and phones, or you can always donate your electronics, too.
9: Singing Copyrighted Music
Anyone who’s ever attended (or participated) in an open mic night may have unknowingly been witness to a crime. Singing or playing an unlicensed song in public may be a violation of copyright laws in some circumstances.
In fact, it’s only within the last 10 years that the song “Happy Birthday” entered the public domain. Until then, it was illegal to use the iconic song in videos, music, and movies without paying licensing fees.
10: Texting While Driving
You know you shouldn’t do it, but sometimes you might sneak in a quick text while stopped at a red light or stuck in traffic. In most states, it’s now illegal to text while driving.
The penalties for texting while driving can vary. Usually, it results in a fine that increases with multiple violations. Of course, accident-related incidents generally have harsher penalties.
11: Letting Fido Off-Leash
When you bring your dog to the park and let him off the leash to stretch his legs, you might be violating leash laws. Many local governments have laws regarding where dogs need to be restrained.
As a responsible dog owner, make sure you keep your pet leashed whenever you’re in public. If your pup needs some exercise, let them run in the backyard or at a local dog park.
12: Not Removing Pet Waste
While you’re on a walk with Fido, make sure you clean up after him. Many jurisdictions have laws requiring pet owners to pick up waste.
Many people associate pet waste laws with dogs, but some cities go even further. In Austin, Texas, for example, both dog and cat owners must remove their pets’ waste on any property other than their homes.
13: Stealing Office Supplies
Admit it: You’ve taken some pens or sticky notes from the office for your personal use. While it might seem innocuous, taking office supplies for personal use is technically theft.
In many cases, your employer won’t notice (or care) if you take some small items every now and then. However, an employer may choose to take disciplinary action depending on the stolen goods.
14: Warming Up Your Car
Have you ever warmed up your vehicle on a chilly day? If so, you may have been guilty of breaking an anti-idling law in your area.
Many states and cities put these laws in place to protect the environment, since idling can cause pollution. However, the laws can vary, and you may have some leeway in colder temperatures.
15: Playing Poker at Home
Poker is a fun pastime for many, and you may organize poker games at your home for friends and family. In some states, however, there are rules concerning the legality of home poker games.
For example, in Florida, you can only gamble in unlicensed locations, like your home, if the winnings don’t exceed $10. If the stakes get bigger than that, your friendly poker game becomes against the law.
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