5 Ridiculous Delaware Laws that are Still on the Books Today

Are you ready for some laughs? Did you know that there are still some hilariously outdated laws still on the books in Delaware? These laws may have made sense back in the day, but now they are just plain silly. Let’s take a look at five comically outdated laws still on the books in Delaware.

1. It’s Illegal to Pretend to Sleep on a Park Bench Believe it or not, it’s illegal to pretend to be asleep on a park bench in Delaware. The law was passed in 1971 in response to the rise of vagrancy and loitering in public spaces. But what if you just want to take a quick power nap on your lunch break? Technically, you’re breaking the law. So, if you’re caught pretending to sleep on a park bench, you could be fined up to $50 or even spend up to 10 days in jail. It’s hard to believe that this law is still in effect.
2. It’s Illegal to Change Clothes in Your Car In Delaware, it’s illegal to change your clothes in your car. So, if you’re running late to a job interview and need to change out of your sweatpants, you better not do it in your car. The law was put in place to prevent people from being indecent in public spaces, but it’s hard to see how changing your clothes in your car is any worse than doing so in a public restroom. If you get caught changing in your car, you could be fined up to $500.
3. It’s Illegal to Get Married on a Dare If you’re looking for a thrill, don’t try to get married on a dare in Delaware. It’s actually illegal to marry someone on a dare or bet. The law was enacted in 1917 in an effort to prevent impulsive and insincere marriages. While it’s understandable why this law was put in place, it’s hard to imagine anyone actually getting married on a dare these days.
4. It’s Illegal to Sell Cornflakes on Sunday If you’re a cereal enthusiast in Delaware, you might want to stock up on your favorite brand of cornflakes before Sunday. It’s illegal to sell cornflakes on Sunday in Delaware. This law dates back to the 1700s when Sunday was considered a day of rest and commerce was prohibited. While most people these days don’t adhere to strict Sunday commerce laws, it’s still technically illegal to sell cornflakes on this day.
5. It’s Illegal to Whisper in Church If you’re in Delaware and feel the need to whisper in church, you better think twice. It’s actually illegal to whisper in church. The law was enacted in the 1800s in an effort to prevent disorder and disrespect in places of worship. While it’s unlikely that anyone would be prosecuted for whispering in church these days, the law is still technically on the books.

These five comically outdated laws still on the books in Delaware might make you chuckle or even scratch your head in disbelief. While they may have been necessary at one point in time, they now seem downright silly. It’s hard to believe that anyone would be fined or jailed for pretending to sleep on a park bench, changing their clothes in their car, getting married on a dare, selling cornflakes on Sunday, or even whispering in church. But the fact remains that these laws are still on the books and technically enforceable. So, be careful what you do in Delaware, or you might end up breaking a ridiculous law.