State Laws
The term state law refers to the rules of each separate state in America. State laws are passed by the state legislature in New Jersey as well as the other 49 states. State laws in New Jersey are then signed into a code by the New Jersey state Governor. The common problem with any state law is that it can often conflict with the federal laws of the United States. When there is an unclear interpretation of state law, which there often is, the issue or conflict is resolved by the federal courts.
• Like other state laws, the state laws of New Jersey follow the actual state constitution. Although every state has a separate constitution of state laws that govern them, most of the major state laws involving serious crimes like robbery, murder and rape are the same. Some state laws allow the death penalty, like Texas; others, such as New York, does not condone it. A state law will sometimes vary depending on the state. For instance, when one is caught Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), a particular state law may ensure certain punishments that other states do not. The United States Constitution has set the groundwork for most major state laws.
• State laws regulate many issues. A state law may control driving privileges, property ownership, or taxes. Some state laws are considered to be unusual, but in general a state law serves its purpose by giving a state some control over individual’s who break the state laws. New Jersey is one state that has many unusual state laws, such as a state law that makes it illegal for a man to knit during hunting season. However, New Jersey is not the only state with weird state laws.
• In Texas, for instance, a state law prohibits any individual from having a pair of pliers on their person. California state law prohibits any women wearing a robe from driving a vehicle. Another odd state law has made it illegal to mispronounce the name of the state of Arkansas while the individual is in Arkansas. In Alaska, state law dictates that an individual is not allowed to look at a moose from an airplane. Residents of Kentucky have to follow a state law that forces them to bathe at least once a year. In Tennessee, a state law prevents bologna from being sold on Sundays.
Serious state laws exist to protect individuals from harm. Some silly state laws seem to serve no purpose at all. Either way, some state laws are nationwide while other state laws are specifically tailored to that individual state.
