There are many things people assume are illegal, but in reality, they’re perfectly fine. For example, flipping off a police officer might seem like something that could get you arrested, but it’s actually protected under free speech. Similarly, recording in public places is generally allowed as long as you’re not interfering with someone’s privacy in a private setting. Many people also believe that it’s illegal to walk barefoot in public spaces or while driving, but there are no laws against it in most places.
Another common misconception is that it’s illegal to refuse to show ID when asked by the police. While some states have “stop and identify” laws, unless you’re under suspicion of a crime, you’re not always required to present identification. Additionally, many believe that sleeping in your car is against the law, but in most places, as long as you’re not trespassing or under the influence, it’s legal. Similarly, jaywalking is often considered a crime, but in many areas, it’s only a minor infraction with little enforcement.
People also think it’s illegal to pump your own gas in every state, but that’s only true in New Jersey and Oregon. Using a radar detector in your car is legal in most states, despite the belief that it’s banned everywhere. Even reselling tickets isn’t automatically illegal unless it violates specific scalping laws. These are just a few examples of rules that people assume exist but really don’t, proving that sometimes, what we think we know about the law isn’t always accurate.