State Laws
State laws can sometimes be hard to understand because they are frequently different from state to state and may even conflict with federal law. State laws can also change without residents being aware of it and yet, it is an individuals responsibility to stay up to date on changes in state law. This is only one of the reasons it is important to stay current on state and local news. When a law changes the public is notified in a variety of ways, including newspaper publication and frequently television coverage. While knowledge of state laws is important, so to is knowledge of federal laws because federal law supersedes state law. Therefore, if a state law and federal law differ you could be prosecuted on a state or federal level simply for believing that what you were doing was legal according to one law, without knowledge that it was against another law.
Each state has their own variety of state laws. While you may be able to post large political signs on your property in New Jersey, it may be against state law in New York. Differing state laws are good reason to do research before you travel to another state. For instance, although some New Jersey roadways still have car pooling lanes meant only for those with multiple passengers in a vehicle, the law no longer applies and an individual driving alone may now utilize those lanes. However, according to New York state law, the car pooling law may still apply. It is important to know individual state laws, especially in the tri-state area where a person may go through multiple states on their commute to work. although a New Jersey resident may be used to ignoring car pooling laws, they may find themselves with a ticket when forced to obey New York state law.
Although the above example may only result in a small fine when state law is ignored; there are more significant state laws that vary state to state. For example, if an individual does not pay child support or falls behind in payments in one particular state, he may simply have his wages garnished. Yet, if this same individual resides in another state, he may find himself behind bars for getting behind on his child support payment because of that states laws. A person from Louisiana may be used to having people in their vehicles with open containers of alcohol. Yet, that driver would be prosecuted under New Jersey state law which makes open containers of alcohol in a vehicle a punishable offense. There are many examples of ways in which state laws may differ and that’s why research is important.
State laws are important to help maintain order for that states residences. Although we take those laws for granted and sometimes become complacent, ignorance of state law can only hurt the individual. Ignorance of state laws can end up causing legal difficulties for both state residents and for the traveler. Knowledge of state law and the consequences of breaking those laws, can protect individual rights and even individual property.
