TL;DR
- New Jersey has several odd and outdated laws still technically on the books, though rarely enforced.
- Examples include bans on self-service gas, Sunday car sales, and selling handcuffs to minors.
- Some laws are highly specific or quirky, like no pickles on Sundays in Trenton or security required for large ice cream crowds.
- Not all “weird laws” you hear are real—some have been repealed or were never actually enforceable.
- Even obscure laws can still lead to charges, so legal representation is important if you’re accused of violating any statute.
New Jersey legislators wield a lot of power. They enact laws, set tax rates, and decide how to spend tax revenues. Over the years, our N.J. legislators have come up with some wacky N.J. laws that are still on the books as part of the state’s legal code and regulations.
You’ll probably never be arrested for violating these odd and obscure bans and legal requirements. But if you are charged with violating the law, you are going to need a qualified, licensed criminal defense attorney who can defend your rights and represent you in court. Give our law offices a call or reach out online. A criminal defense lawyer will respond promptly to help you and offer aggressive representation with personalized service tailored to your case.
10 Weird NJ Laws in the Books
As they say, don’t try this at home … or anywhere else in the Garden State:
1. Selling handcuffs to minors
It is a disorderly persons offense to sell handcuffs to anyone under the age of 18. The police are to confiscate the handcuffs when they find a minor in possession of them. If you’re facing charges for this unusual violation, consult with a dedicated attorney who can advise you on potential penalties and legal defense options.
2. Wearing a bulletproof vest during a violent crime
It is illegal to wear a bulletproof vest while committing a criminal act such as murder, manslaughter, robbery, sexual assault, burglary, and other violent crimes. This statute carries serious penalties and requires immediate legal help from a proven trial attorney.
3. Sunday car sales ban
Selling a car on a Sunday is a disorderly persons offense. New Jersey is one of a dozen states with Sunday laws applying to car sales. But motorcycle sales are legal on Sunday unless a local law prohibits them. Understanding jurisdiction and state regulations is critical when facing such charges.
4. Moving poor people to N.J. without permission
Causing a poor person to move into the state or from one county to another within New Jersey without local permission is a misdemeanor, and the person is to be returned to where they came from. This absurd and archaic statute reflects outdated legislative intent that modern courts rarely enforce.
5. Self-service gas pumping
Travelers to New Jersey may be surprised to find out that it is illegal to permit any person who is not a service station attendant to dispense fuel into the tank of a motor vehicle or any container. A fine of $50 to $250 is possible for a first offense. While this penalty may seem minor, reliable legal advice can help you understand what to do if arrested and how to fight charges effectively.
6. Personalized license plates after a DUI
Read the application, and you’ll find that personalized license plates may not be issued to anyone who has been convicted within the last 10 years of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, death by vehicular homicide or reckless driving, or whose driving privilege in New Jersey has been revoked or suspended for any reason whatsoever within the two-year period preceding the date of application. A skilled DUI attorney can advise clients on collateral consequences including license restoration and criminal record implications.
7. Trenton’s pickle law
The City of Trenton recently revisited the Trenton Pickle Ordinance, which states that you cannot eat pickles in Trenton on a Sunday. Additionally, Trenton residents are forbidden to throw bad pickles into the street. This ridiculous local ordinance is an example of legal precedent that has never resulted in prosecution.
8. Blairstown’s tree planting law
Shade trees planted along streets, highways, and alleys in Blairstown are to be planted so as not to obscure light and air, the local ordinance states. Understanding municipal regulations and their enforcement is part of comprehensive legal defense.
9. Newark requires security for ice cream customers
After 4 p.m., a business that sells ice cream and has an outdoor area where 20 or more customers can gather must have a security guard on duty. Business owners facing violations of this ordinance need trustworthy legal counsel to navigate municipal court proceedings.
10. Haddon Township is against annoying people
Haddon’s ordinance prohibiting “offending or annoying persons in public places” makes it illegal to approach a member of the opposite sex whom you do not know to become acquainted with against their will on a public street or public place “except in the transaction of legitimate business.” The ordinance says further it is illegal to attempt to entice or procure a member of the opposite sex to commit an unlawful act … or invite the doing of any indecent or unnatural act.” That’s potentially about a more serious issue. Defendants charged under this vague statute need experienced attorneys who can challenge the legal basis and defend their rights in court.
Relax, These Are Not Illegal Things in New Jersey
Many publications have written about weird laws in New Jersey, but they often repeat what others have said without checking the facts. Here are a few legal myths and urban legends you can ignore:
- Bernards Township’s no-frown rule: The Bernards Township Committee passed a resolution on December 12, 2023, which said a 1995 resolution (#95068) “had good intentions” by declaring Bernards Township a “Frown-Free Town Zone.” But Mayor Andrew McNally said, “Let me be clear: it has never been illegal to frown in Bernards Township. If it were, we would have a lot of lawbreakers.”
- Raritan’s public swearing ban: This ordinance in Raritan Borough was proposed in 1994 and periodically generates political debate. Officials said in 2021 that it had been repealed in 2011, and there was no record of anyone ever being prosecuted under the ordinance.
- Is it Illegal to slurp soup in NJ or frown at police: These oft-cited prohibitions are not true, NJ.com reported in a 2016 article that cited 10 other archaic laws they said are still on the books. “In 228 years, New Jersey’s racked up 100 printed volumes of law. Unfortunately, ‘the bizarre laws are not all in one volume,’ said Laura Tharney, executive director of the New Jersey Law Revision Commission, so old ones that seem strange today linger. ‘You can slurp soup, and you can frown at a police officer,’ Tharney said.”
The New Jersey Law Revision Commission is required by statute to “promote and encourage the clarification and simplification of the law … and its better adaptation to present social needs.” It is doing so by conducting an ongoing review of New Jersey statutes and case law to identify defects and anachronisms in the law that need revision.
Contact a N.J. Criminal Defense Attorney with Real-Life Experience
It’s no laughing matter if you have been charged with a criminal offense and you are facing the judgment of the New Jersey courts. Regardless of the alleged offense and how long it’s been on the books, you should never face criminal charges without an experienced criminal defense attorney. Whether you’re a first-time offender or have prior convictions, you need dedicated, client-focused legal representation to protect your rights and achieve the best case outcomes.
In New Jersey, the criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are licensed in New Jersey, former prosecutors and public defenders from more than 25 New Jersey towns and counties. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience and proven trial experience and have helped thousands of clients seek the best possible outcome in courtrooms throughout the state. Our established firm provides statewide court representation with a results-driven approach and personalized service for every client.
Whether you’re facing a minor infraction in municipal courts or a serious criminal charge, let a criminal defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall review the criminal charges you are facing. We offer comprehensive case evaluation to help you understand what are your rights, whether charges can be dismissed, and how long your case may take. Our law firm offers free initial consultations with no obligation at our nine New Jersey locations. We provide affordable payment plans and flexible payment options to ensure you get the legal help needed without financial stress. We can help you navigate the N.J. criminal justice system and litigate your case with courtroom-proven strategies. Our criminal defense attorneys respond to calls at night and on weekends with 24/7 availability for emergency legal help. Contact us online or at (856) 565-3635 to reach experienced criminal defense attorneys who will defend you, advise you on plea negotiation options, and represent you throughout the entire legal process from arraignment through sentencing.
