A successful defense attorney who grew up in Waynesboro, Virginia, once told me that in Waynesboro, it is still illegal for a woman to drive a car up Main Street unless her husband is walking in front of the car and waving a red flag. I can only imagine there must be some kind of story behind the passing of this law many years ago, and I wish I knew what that story was. Here are 10 more weird laws that are still on the books in Virginia:
1. Expectorating in public places
Yes, that means spitting. Spitting in any public area in Virginia, such as a sidewalk or a public stairwell, is categorized as a Class 4 misdemeanor.
2. Prohibition against the use of substances injurious to fish
Apparently, it is illegal to use explosives to catch fish in Virginia. Doing so could slap you with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
3. Fornication
It is still illegal for unmarried persons to make whoopie in the Commonwealth.
4. Only genuine Smithfield hams are to be labeled or advertised as such
That’s right. If it ain’t from Smithfield, it’s unlawful to label your salted pork a Smithfield ham.
5. Sale of speleothems
Speleothems, such as stalagmites and stalactites, are mineral deposits formed in caves. Limestone speleothems grow extremely slowly- usually less than 10 centimeters every thousand years- so it kind of makes sense that if you break and sell one of these bad boys, you’ll be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
6. Underwater property recovery
It is illegal to remove any underwater historical specimen without a permit, including at underwater refuse sites or shipwrecks.
7. Shooting birds for amusement and renting premises for such purposes
This law is not about hunting. This law makes it illegal to keep live birds, such as pigeons, for use as targets during target practice. Apparently this was enough of a problem in the past to make it a criminal offence.
8. Flame throwers and smoke screens on motor vehicles
It is a Class 6 felony to attach a smoke screen or a flame thrower to one’s vehicle which may be a hindrance or obstruction to traffic.
9. In Richmond, it is illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to determine who pays for coffee.
10. In Culpepper, it is illegal to wash one’s mule on the sidewalk.
1. Expectorating in public places
Yes, that means spitting. Spitting in any public area in Virginia, such as a sidewalk or a public stairwell, is categorized as a Class 4 misdemeanor.
2. Prohibition against the use of substances injurious to fish
Apparently, it is illegal to use explosives to catch fish in Virginia. Doing so could slap you with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
3. Fornication
It is still illegal for unmarried persons to make whoopie in the Commonwealth.
4. Only genuine Smithfield hams are to be labeled or advertised as such
That’s right. If it ain’t from Smithfield, it’s unlawful to label your salted pork a Smithfield ham.
5. Sale of speleothems
Speleothems, such as stalagmites and stalactites, are mineral deposits formed in caves. Limestone speleothems grow extremely slowly- usually less than 10 centimeters every thousand years- so it kind of makes sense that if you break and sell one of these bad boys, you’ll be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
6. Underwater property recovery
It is illegal to remove any underwater historical specimen without a permit, including at underwater refuse sites or shipwrecks.
7. Shooting birds for amusement and renting premises for such purposes
This law is not about hunting. This law makes it illegal to keep live birds, such as pigeons, for use as targets during target practice. Apparently this was enough of a problem in the past to make it a criminal offence.
8. Flame throwers and smoke screens on motor vehicles
It is a Class 6 felony to attach a smoke screen or a flame thrower to one’s vehicle which may be a hindrance or obstruction to traffic.
9. In Richmond, it is illegal to flip a coin in a restaurant to determine who pays for coffee.
10. In Culpepper, it is illegal to wash one’s mule on the sidewalk.
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