Odd Laws Still on the Books
Milk crates, masks and balloons: real Florida sections, still the law
Lists of strange state laws get passed around with no section number attached. Every one below has one, read from the Legislature's own site.
Who handles this in Florida: The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Florida directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawThe milk crate | What it saysAnyone holding a shopping cart, laundry cart, dairy case, egg basket, poultry box or bakery container with a registered name or mark is presumed to have stolen property. | Breaking itMisdemeanor of the first degree |
| The lawA mask on the street | What it saysNo one over 16 may appear on a street or other public way in a mask that hides their identity, but only when worn to intimidate or harass, to deprive someone of their rights, or to avoid being identified for conduct that could lead to a case. | Breaking itMisdemeanor of the second degree |
| The lawBalloons | What it saysIntentionally releasing balloons is dumping litter, unless the person is a child 6 or younger. | Breaking itA $150 civil penalty |
| The lawBlocking the road | What it saysNo one may willfully obstruct the normal use of a public street by standing or staying in it, or by holding up traffic. | Breaking itA pedestrian violation |
Many laws that sound strange are county or city ordinances rather than state law, and those differ from place to place; this page covers only the Florida Statutes. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Florida attorney.
Sources for this section (6)
- Fla. Stat. 506.509 — Possession of shopping carts, dairy cases, egg baskets, poultry boxes or bakery containers
- Fla. Stat. 876.12 — Wearing a mask, hood or other device on a public way
- Fla. Stat. 403.413 — Florida Litter Law
- Fla. Stat. 876.155 — When the mask sections apply
- Fla. Stat. 876.21 — Penalty for the mask sections
- Fla. Stat. 316.2045 — Obstruction of public streets, highways and roads
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.