You could be a lawbreaker and not even know it.
Hoosiers can be prosecuted and fined for not reading the fine print within the Muncie and Indiana Code. For example, as of Jan. 1, throwing out TVs and other electronics due to the possibility of pollution is illegal.
One of the most common crimes committed on campus can be seen everyday.
"One I see 100 times a day on campus is jaywalking," said Gene Burton, Ball State director of public safety.
Infractions for jaywalking include fines that start at $25, he said.
"And when you talk about enforcement, where would one start? It's one of those that happens with such regularity that most people don't know a law even exists for it," Burton said. "Technically, I jaywalk every time I step outside [the University Police Department building]. I don't go down to the corner to cross the street."
There are several other odd laws, both local and state, that you might not think about. Breaking the law is never a good idea, no matter how trivial it may seem. So before you unknowingly commit a misdemeanor or possibly even a felony, take a look at some of the odd and often unrecognized laws.
1) It is against Indiana state law to ride bicycles on public sidewalks. The rights and duties granted to cyclists are only granted on roadways (IC 9-21-11-2).
"According to statute, [bicycles are] for riding on roadways," Burton said. "They're considered the same as a motor vehicle, so they should be on the roadway, not the sidewalk."
However, the fact that bicycle racks are located near buildings, and the number of bicycle riders on campus make the law very impractical for the University Police Department to enforce.
"I would invite you any day of the week when it's decent weather out to look out my window and see the numbers of bikes on the sidewalk. It's a difficult law to enforce," Burton said.
2) Skateboarding is not allowed on campus. The university mirrored its policy off Muncie's ordinance.
"The other [reason] is a contentious issue, and that is when someone is trick riding, or doing tricks on a skateboard, it does a tremendous amount of damage to university property, and the university spends literally thousands of dollars to repair that damage," Burton said.
3) In Indiana, liquor stores are not allowed to sell iced, non-alcoholic beverages.
"I can only give you my interpretation of it ... but I think it has to do with the buying of alcoholic beverages, hard liquor in particular, and mixing that with something right there on site, or more specifically in one's car, as they're travelling," said Burton, citing IC 7.1-3-10-5.
4) Indiana law requires bicycles to be equipped with a bell that can be heard at least 100 feet away from a vehicle (IC 9-21-11-8). It is also prohibited for more than two bicycles to ride alongside each other on a roadway (IC 9-21-11-6). Bicycle infractions can cost up to $500.
5) In Muncie, it is illegal to dye the fur or feathers of baby chicks or rabbits. It is also illegal to sell baby chicks under three weeks of age or rabbits under two months of age (MC Sec. 90.17).
"It's hilarious. But I'm also inquisitive. I love to know why that is, and what went into making that law," said Kate Ebert, a Ball State Cru staff member.
6) The Muncie Indiana Transit System has a policy requiring all drinks on MITS buses to be in spill-proof containers.
"The policy is to help keep the busses clean ... and is kind of a common courtesy rule," said Mary Gaston, assistant general manager at MITS.
7) In Indiana, it is illegal to use dynamite, firearms, crossbows or bare hands to catch a fish (IC 14-22-9-1).
"[It's] pretty outdated and kind of ridiculous. Who goes fishing with dynamite anyway," said Casey Rusk, a graduate student in Residential Property Management.
8) It is prohibited in Muncie to spit on sidewalks, or on the floor of any public transportation unit or public building (MC Sec. 130.20).
"I like this law because I think it's disgusting to spit in front of other people. I think it's funny, though, that there was actually time to put into a law about spitting," Sally Barrett, a senior hospitality and food management major, said.
9) In Muncie, it is illegal to beg (MC Sec. 130.14).
10) In Warsaw, it is illegal to throw snowballs across the street within the Warsaw city limits (WC Sec. 54-61).
Some of these laws may seem odd, but it is important to realize that most were created decades ago.
"There are some of those laws that you wonder if they're even applicable to today's society," Burton said.