No one has been arrested for any of the silly laws on the books in various states around the country. I conducted a deep dive into the internet, exploring the latest trends in innovative computing, AI, and ChatGPT. This suggests that most of these laws include strict provisions for enforcement. Nevertheless, they seem to be purely regulatory. There are no documented arrests or prosecutions for violation.
There are no recorded cases of arrests for purchasing Silly String. Authorities also report no arrests for whistling to Canaries. Moreover, no one has been arrested for allowing someone to eat them. According to officials, these laws and their enforcement are purely regulatory. There are no documented arrests or prosecutions for violations, as I said above.
The law seems to exist mainly to deter careless purchases. It also aims to prevent property damage. It does not primarily encourage criminal enforcement against children. Still, there were more questions, and that led to today’s report.
Fundamental Laws That Still Raise Eyebrows (and Sometimes Cause Trouble)
1. Civil Forfeiture: The Law That Targets Your Stuff
This isn’t a fictional plot device—it’s real and deeply troubling. In the U.S., police can seize property—cars, cash—even without charging the owner with a crime. Imagine your gold crucifix being named as the defendant in a court case e.g., State v. One Gold Crucifix. The government confiscates nearly half a million dollars from travelers at airports. This happens despite no evidence of wrongdoing. These actions are legally permitted. Often, there are no arrests or convictions. Individuals must fight a labyrinthine process to reclaim their property. (1)
2. Sovereign Citizens: When Laws Are “Optional”
The sovereign citizen movement has seen people file frivolous court documents. They use homemade license plates and claim federal laws do not bind them. Authorities take it seriously. Some adherents have been arrested for filing fake liens, orchestrating “common law courts,” and engaging in wire fraud. One such case was deemed a racketeering enterprise, with convictions earning individuals lengthy prison sentences. (2)
3. Silly String Restrictions – Enforced for Safety Over Fun
In Meriden, Connecticut, silly string can’t be sold to anyone under 18 unless a parent is nearby. It must also be stored securely and can’t be sprayed in public spaces. There’s no record of teens being arrested. Retailers can face fines, up to $99, for violations. This means enforcement is real, even if narrowly targeted. (3)
Why These Laws Matter — Beyond the Weirdness
These aren’t costumes—these laws have tangible consequences. Civil forfeiture can strip people of property without due process. Sovereign citizen actions clog courts and sometimes spiral into criminal schemes. And yes—even silly string bans illustrate how enforcement can reach unexpected corners of daily life.
In the deep dive this is what the results showed –
Here’s what I found on whether anyone has ever been arrested for violating these odd laws:
Arrests? Not Really—But Enforcement Exists
Delaware: Selling Dog Hair
Delaware law prohibits selling or bartering dog or cat hair or fur. The penalties can be up to a Class B misdemeanor. There is also a fine around $2,500 (b). There are no documented cases of arrests or prosecutions solely for selling pet hair. This law appears more preventive than actively enforced.
Berkeley, CA: Whistling for Your Canary Before 7 AM
Berkeley’s noise ordinance indeed bars whistling for a lost canary before 7 a.m. (a). Still, there’s no evidence anyone has ever been arrested or cited for doing so. This one remains a quirky legal tidbit more than a prosecutable offense.
Idaho: Cannibalism
Idaho’s law criminalizes cannibalism, even if consensual, with penalties up to 14 years in prison. Despite its notoriety, there are no known prosecutions under this statute (2e).
Meriden, CT: Selling Silly String to Minors
Silly string in Meriden can’t be sold to anyone under 18 unless accompanied by a parent. It must be locked away. Violators can face a fine of up to $99 (1d). Yet there’s no record of minors ever being arrested or cited for this — enforcement applies to retailers, not children.
Baltimore: Scrubbing Sinks
Rumor has it you can’t scrub a sink in Baltimore – one of those strange local restrictions (1c). That said, there’s no credible record of enforcement or arrests, and the law is generally considered obsolete or never serious.
Utah: Whaling Ban
Utah doesn’t have whaling laws because it was a myth. Still, commercial whaling is prohibited federally via the Whaling Convention Act (1a). Enforcement takes place at the federal level. It does not occur at a state-specific level. Clearly, no one was ever arrested for whaling in landlocked Utah.
Bergen County, NJ: Blue Laws
Bergen County maintains strict blue laws. These laws prohibit retail sales of non-essential items on Sundays. The rules are still actively monitored (2a). Retailers have faced legal pushback for Sunday operations. Investigations, like those involving the mega American Dream mall, have occurred. Nonetheless, no high-profile criminal arrests are generally reported (2b)
Summary Table
| Law | Arrests Reported? | Enforcement Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware dog hair ban | No | Rarely enforced, no cases |
| Berkeley canary whistle ban | No | No known citations or arrests |
| Idaho cannibalism law | No | No reported prosecutions |
| Meriden silly string sale | No | Retailer fines possible; no youth arrests |
| Baltimore sink scrubbing prohibition | No | Mostly folklore, unenforced |
| Utah whaling myth | No | Federal whale protections apply nationwide |
| Bergen County blue laws |
About the Author:
Benjamin Groff is a former police officer and radio news anchor. He has hosted programs for CNN and ABC News affiliates in Colorado and Wyoming. His career in law enforcement began in 1980 and lasted more than two decades. This gave him firsthand insight into the criminal mind and public safety. Moreover, it provided him with an understanding of the human stories that often go untold. His writing draws on these experiences, blending street-level truth with a journalist’s eye for the bigger picture.
By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025
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