5 Bizarre Laws in Texas That Will Have You Scratching Your Head

Texas is known for doing everything big, we Texans live by the motto: go big or go home. But does that philosophy extend to our laws? It seems like some of the rules in the Lone Star State might just take things a bit too far. I’ve picked out a few laws that feel more suited to the cowboy days of the 1800s. Today, these laws have become modern-day head-scratchers, and here are five that leave me, and many fellow Texans, wondering how they’re still on the books.

What got me thinking about this was a recent conversation with a co-worker who got a traffic ticket. He said, "I was given the option to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest." He chose no contest and paid the fine, thinking everything was squared away. Not so fast! This is the one law on this list that drives me crazy!

I'm thankful to the good Lord above that a lot of these laws are not enforced today, and many of them are being overwritten or updated. For the most part, I believe that legislators were trying to be honest and helpful and that the laws of Texas must apply to everybody.

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Here are the 5 crazy Texas laws that are bizarre.

1. Paying Your Ticket Is a Guilty Plea
In other states, paying a simple traffic ticket is not necessarily an admission of guilt. However, that is not the case in Texas. When you pay your traffic ticket to resolve the citation in Texas, it technically waives your right to a hearing, as paying it is considered a guilty plea. While a "no contest" plea allows you to "avoid admitting guilt," it is still treated the same as a guilty plea and has the same effect, with only one exception: no contest pleas are not allowed in Texas felony cases.

2. No Eating Your Neighbor’s Garbage
One thing to note: raccoons are exempt from this law! Believe it or not, it's illegal to eat your neighbor's garbage in Texas. While the reasoning behind this law remains unclear, many towns across the state consider consuming your neighbor's trash not only illegal but also a form of trespassing.

3. No “Odor Emissions” in the Elevator
I love this law because I’m convinced they wrote it for me! However, this law is only enforceable in Port Arthur and its surrounding communities. To be clear: it is illegal to "release an obnoxious odor while enclosed in an elevator." This is why I avoid dining at Mexican food restaurants when I’m in Port Arthur.

4. No Shooting Buffalo or Wild Game from the Balcony
I can understand why this law is in effect. It would be quite disturbing trying to sleep in on a Saturday while your neighbor at the Motel 6 is taking a shot from the second-floor balcony at a buffalo. It’s believed this law has been on the books since the mid-1800s. In case you were wondering, yes, it is illegal to shoot from any other floor as well.

5. No Concealed Carry of Wire Cutters
While carrying a concealed firearm is perfectly legal in Texas, carrying wire cutters in your pocket in Austin is not. This law dates back to a time when ranchers were at odds over open ranges and fencing regulations. Instead of focusing solely on trespassing laws, this law was enacted to prevent ranchers from cutting each other's fences.

While these laws may sound crazy, they’re still on the books, and yes, someone can still get cited, fined, or even arrested for violating them. It’s important to know these laws and try to avoid them. Heaven forbid you find yourself shooting at a buffalo from your second-floor balcony or getting handcuffed and hauled off to jail for passing gas in a packed elevator. As the old Texas saying goes, "Just because we didn’t know something was illegal doesn’t excuse the act."