Weekends traditionally are a time for unbuttoning collars and relaxing, but what many people think of as harmless fun actually can be completely against the law. Because police officers operate with a broad range of leeway for enforcement against misdemeanors and other minor offenses, this has led to public confusion about when they can get off scot-free - and when they may need to get in contact with a lawyer. Feel free to continue reading if you're interested in a few obscure ways to land yourself a fee, or even a jail cell here in the US.

1. Drive-By Hunting

Most states, including such diverse ones as California and Tennessee, have laws against shooting animals while the shooter is in a moving vehicle. If you want to go hunting, step out of the car! There is one seemingly odd exception to this persistent rule: the whale, as a concession to the fishing industry.

2. Not-So-Exotic Pets

United States pet laws are a hodgepodge of contradictions that change whenever you go over a state line. While the inconsistencies in pet laws are too numerous to count, one common theme is that many seemingly harmless animals are deemed unfit to keep as pets by unlicensed owners. For example, if you live in California, a pet chipmunk is off the table. Limitations on quantity also can be found, such as Arkansas restricting rabbit owners to a maximum of half a dozen rabbits.

3. Light Shows Staged Too Late

Most people won't be shocked to learn that there are various restrictions placed on using fireworks, which, for all their festivity, still qualify as explosives. However, you may not be aware that different regions have different restrictions on WHEN to use them, as well as HOW. For example, the town of Devil's Lake, North Dakota doesn't abide by the use of fireworks past eleven PM, putting a damper on late night celebrations. In Provo, Utah, residents are only able to use fireworks for a few weeks during the year, with all other times being illegal.

4. Playing Out Famous Gambling Scenes

The gag of the penniless schmuck who's forced to give away his own clothes to get away from the poker table is a classic trope of cinema and television. Unfortunately, the real world doesn't always work out quite so hilariously. If you try this in New Hampshire, you're breaking the law. And yes, that even includes if you do it 'officially' by heading to the nearest pawnbroker's shop.

5. Loitering. Yes, Really

You're probably fully aware that it's not okay to loiter, but you may not know exactly what constitutes this misdemeanor in the first place. As per the laws of Minnesota, some samples of ways to qualify as a loiterer rather than an innocent civilian include lingering in one location to solicit passerby for 'immoral' purposes, using begging as a means of financial support, simply being an unemployed legal adult with no means of financial support, or simply being unable to account for being on the premises without the owner's consent.

6. Public Drunkenness

So, you have had a great night at the bar, and being the responsible person that you are, you decide to walk home instead of driving. No drinking and driving for you, since a DUI is the last thing that you want on your record. It's too bad that in many places in the United States, it is illegal to be drunk in a public area, such as on a sidewalk. If cities don't have laws that prevent public drunkenness, they most certainly will have laws against public disturbances. You can easily become a public disturbance when you are drunk by speaking loudly, using inappropriate language, running into people, or just about anything that might annoy another person.

While foreknowledge to avoid trouble always is preferable to landing into it unprepared, no one can be expected to keep track of every law like this for every state they may happen to visit. If you should happen to fall on the wrong side of the law through happenstance and misfortune, having access to a good lawyer in North County, or elsewhere, can be what keeps your record from having unseemly blots and your bank account from being pillaged.