Snow Shenanigans: Our Favorite Stories of Winter Mischief
With so much of the country blanketed in cold, it got us thinking about the weirdest stories of snow-related shenanigans, and the legal trouble their protagonists might be in.
So let's take a look at some recent winter news and whether these folks took the weather a bit too far:
Bounding Into Boston Snow Banks
Ever since there have been humans and things, humans have felt compelled to jump off things. This compulsion is never greater than when humans are assured a soft landing. Hence the latest trend of Bostonians leaping off all manner of things into the giant snow banks littering their fair city -- and posting videos of their daring snowdives:
Although the injury danger is real, the mayor's anti-jumping message may be falling on deaf and snow-jammed ears. If you want to avoid civil liability for an injury, keep these snow divers out of your snow banks, and, for goodness sake, shovel your sidewalks.
The Great Winter War of Washington, D.C.
A small snowball fight is fun. A massive, hundreds-deep snowball war is legendary. (You know your party's legit when Captain America rolls in.)
But do you know if it's legal? Turns out a big enough snowball can land you in court. Also, try not to hit an off duty cop's car with a snowball, lest you enjoy having a gun pulled on you.
No, That's My Spot!
Look, we all despise shoveling our cars out of the snow. So the least we can do is acknowledge our neighbors' efforts by respecting their shoveled and reserved parking spot. Apparently, one New Yorker did not, so this Boston resident returned the cleared snow to the parking space, on top of the New Yorker's car.
Honestly, we're not sure where this falls, legally speaking. If there was damage to the car, Massachusetts outlaws destruction or injury of personal property. But we don't know of a jury that would convict.
The Fake 'Black Ice' Defense
Winter driving is dangerous, and in some cases, you can blame the weather for an accident.
What you can't do is get drunk, blow through a stop sign, crash into a guard rail, drive home, and then enlist your (also drunk) buddy to help you pour water in the intersection in an attempt to create black ice to cover up your drunken driving. That'll just get you and your buddy arrested and charged with DWI, along with a raft of other offenses.
There's no limit to the joy winter weather can bring. Just make sure you're staying safe and smart out there, folks.
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Related Resources:
- Slip-Fall Injuries Can Ruin Your Holiday Party (FindLaw's Injured)
- Snowball Fight Game Update: Off Duty Police Officer Suspended (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
- ZWI: Man Arrested for Zamboni-Driving While Intoxicated (FindLaw's Legal Grounds)
- 7 Winter Driving Tips to Keep You Safe (FindLaw's Injured)