Some of These Might Actualy Matter in a Personal Injury Case...
Texas has a long history — and with it, a long list of strange laws, obscure city ordinances, and legal myths that never seem to die. Some of these laws are still technically on the books. Others have been repealed, and many were never real to begin with. But what they all have in common is the confusion they create about what’s actually legal in Texas.
For people injured in accidents, that confusion can matter. Outdated or misunderstood laws sometimes get misused in court. A citation you thought was minor could count as an admission of fault. An old city code could help prove a business or property owner was negligent. And in some cases, legal myths distract from the real issue — who’s responsible, and who should pay.
Separating Legal Myth from Reality
This list separates myth from reality and shows how even the strangest laws can have real consequences in a Texas personal injury claim.
- TRUE – Selling Your Eyes and Other Organs – Under Texas Penal Code Section 48.02, it is illegal to sell organs such as eyes, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin. Violators face a Class A misdemeanor with up to one year in jail and/or a $4,000 fine. Selling blood and hair, however, is allowed.
- TRUE BUT NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT SOUNDS – Proxy and Informal Marriage – Texas recognizes two types of unusual but legally valid marriages: proxy marriage and informal (or common-law) marriage. Proxy marriage allows one party to be absent, often for military or overseas reasons. Informal marriage, also recognized under Texas law, requires no ceremony or license — just mutual agreement, cohabitation, and a public representation as a married couple. Both forms of marriage can have serious implications in wrongful death, inheritance, and personal injury cases.
- MYTH – No Limburger Cheese Sales in Houston on Sundays – It is a myth that Houston has had ordinances banning the sale of Limburger cheese on Sundays. While the city does have ordinances regarding food preparation, supplies, and storage that do specifically mention cheese, a ban on Limburger sales is not one of them.
- TRUE BUT NOT AS STRICT AS IT SOUNDS – No Atheists in Office – Texas’s constitution still includes a clause stating that officeholders must acknowledge a supreme being - any supreme being will do. It’s unenforceable due to federal precedent, but still technically on the books.
- MYTH – Barefoot in Public Requires a Permit – The idea that Texas cities require a $5 permit to walk barefoot is a persistent myth. No such law is currently on the books anywhere in Texas.
- MYTH – No Drinking While Standing – The alleged "Three Sips of Beer" rule is largely attributed to the Panhandle town of LeFors. With a population of about 500 and no online municipal codes, the urban legend that it’s illegal to take more than three sips of beer while standing spread across the state. However, there does not seem to be a basis for it.
- TRUE – Milking Someone Else’s Cow – Milking a neighbor’s cow used to be its own offense, but today it’s treated as theft of personal property. The law has evolved, but the concept remains enforceable.
- MYTH – Don’t Shoot Buffalo from a Hotel Balcony – This famous “law” is pure myth. No such Texas statute exists, though discharging a firearm from a balcony would violate multiple modern laws.
- MYTH – 24-Hour Crime Notice Requirement – The claim that criminals must notify victims 24 hours in advance is false. A 1973 bill tried to introduce this, but it never passed.
- TRUE – Windshield Wipers Required, but Not Windshields – Texas requires windshield wipers on all vehicles—even if they have no windshield. This odd law creates a compliance quirk with no real safety logic.
- TRUE – Train Crossing Standoff – According to old Texas law, when two trains meet at an intersection, both must stop and neither can move until the other has cleared. Obviously, this creates a logical impossibility.
- TRUE – Don’t Sit on the Sidewalk (Galveston) – In Galveston, sitting on the sidewalk can result in a $500 fine. This is part of the city’s effort to keep pedestrian areas clear and is enforceable.
- TRUE – Paying a Ticket Is a Guilty Plea – In Texas, paying a traffic fine is an admission of guilt. This can hurt you in a personal injury case by serving as an admission of fault. Obviously, fault can play a big role in determining liability in a car accident, truck wreck, or another type of Texas motor vehicle crash.
- TRUE – Sunday Blue Law Holdovers – Texas still enforces some blue laws. For example, liquor stores are closed on Sundays, and car dealerships must close one day on the weekend.
- REPEALED – Justifiable Homicide for Adultery – Between 1866 and 1948, Texas law allowed a husband to kill his wife's lover if caught in the act. This law was repealed and is no longer valid.
- MYTH – Mesquite Haircut Ordinance – No law in Mesquite currently bans “bizarre” haircuts for children. This is likely an exaggerated rumor or defunct school policy.
- TRUE – No Noxious Odors in Elevators (Port Arthur) – Port Arthur law prohibits releasing obnoxious odors. While rarely enforced, it remains on the books as a public health and nuisance code.
- TRUE – Spitting Bans – Some Texas communities prohibit spitting in public spaces. These laws stem from early disease prevention efforts and are technically enforceable in situations where a slip and fall or other type of accident is related.
Even Strange Laws Can Affect Serious Cases — Get Legal Help That Knows the Difference
At the end of the day, Texas’s strangest laws make one thing clear: legal protection — and legal risk — can show up in unexpected ways. If you were hurt in a crash or serious accident in Fort Worth or anywhere in North Texas, don’t leave your case to chance.
Attorney Coby L. Wooten has earned a reputation for taking on tough personal injury cases and getting results. Whether you were injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, or workplace accident, Coby L. Wooten, Attorney at Law, P.C. will fight to hold the right parties accountable and pursue the full compensation you deserve.
Contact Fort Worth car accident lawyer Coby L. Wooten today for a free consultation. With multi-million dollar case results, our legal team knows how to get the job done right.
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Coby Wooten on multiple occasions, and I can confidently say he is one of the most honest, helpful, and professional attorneys I’ve encountered. From the very beginning, he took the time to listen to my concerns and provide clear, thoughtful advice. His counsel has always been on point, and he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that I understand all the options available to me. Whether it was a simple question or a more complex legal matter, he approached each situation with great care and expertise. His integrity and commitment to his clients are unmatched, and I highly recommend him to anyone in need of reliable legal assistance." — Maela E., ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐