In every state of the union there are some rather odd and old laws that are still technically 'on the books.' South Carolina has quite a few that are just silly, and not all of them are from 100 years ago.
I fondly remember the first time I got to vote in South Carolina, I was 18 and on the ballot was a measure﻿ to make it 'official' that caucasian people could marry non-caucasians in the state of South Carolina. It was technically illegal up until 1998.
This morning while trying to find the current sexting laws in South Carolina for an earlier story, I came across a list of 'Dumb Laws in South Carolina' and dumb laws from cities in South Carolina. While there was no context to the laws, stating whether or not they were technically overturned, it is obvious we don't abide by many of them today.
"A male over the age of sixteen years who by means of deception and promise of marriage seduces an unmarried woman in this State is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined at the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than one year."
Full text of the Sunday dance law here, however it is A-OK to buy light bulbs on Sunday﻿.
Prohibited acts in parks and other public facilities. It shall be unlawful for any person using the public parks, recreation areas, grounds or facilities of the city (referred to in this article as parks), specifically to include Chapin Memorial Library, to either perform or allow the performances of any of the following actions or conduct, unless such action or conduct is authorized, permitted or supervised by the cultural and leisure services department director or his designee.
This one makes sense, but is a law really necessary? And why do they specifically mention Chapin Memorial Library? Also, it's nice to know that one can get a permit for such activities. Read the full law here.
The city also and is currently attacking the 'day time' sleepers as well.
Dogs on beaches prohibited certain times; animalsrestricted on Ocean Boulevard. (a) It shall be unlawful to allow any dog to be on the public beaches or boardwalks of the municipality from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the period from May 15 through September 15 of each year, except for assistance animals and law enforcement dogs. Owners shall be subject to arrest and the dogs may be impounded. (b) It shall be unlawful for an owner or keeper of any animal to take or permit the animal onto the right of way of Ocean Boulevard between 21st Ave. North and 13th Ave. South during the period from March 1st to September 30th of each year, except for the purpose of direct and expeditious crossing of the right of way. Owners shall be subject to arrest and the animal may be impounded.
So for those who take their dog on a stroll in the summer months on the Boulevard or the Boardwalk, guess what? You might be facing jail time! Yea!
The Fire Department may blow up your house. This law was made so that the fire department could create a firebreak..
Lifeguards must be present at apartment complex pools, but only after 11:00 PM. - smart.
The drinking age on Furman University campus is 60 years old.
Eating watermelons in the Magnolia Street cemetery is forbidden. Zombie's love watermelon, this is smart on their part.
Checkout more dumb, silly, and crazy state laws over at DumbLaws.com. They have international laws listed too.