Odd Laws Still on the Books
Adultery, studded tires and the orange triangle: real Michigan 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 Michigan: State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Michigan directory.
| The law | What it says | Breaking it |
|---|---|---|
| The lawAdultery | What it saysAny person who commits adultery is guilty of a felony, and when it is between a married woman and an unmarried man, he is guilty too. | Breaking itA felony with no penalty of its own, so up to 4 years or a fine of up to $5,000 |
| The lawStudded tires | What it saysNo tire with studs or other protuberances beyond the rubber on the highway, except under state rules for winter conditions, and for police, ambulances and a rural mail carrier driving a car they own for the route. | Breaking itA violation of the vehicle code |
| The lawThe orange triangle | What it saysThe slow moving vehicle triangle is for vehicles that top out at 25 miles an hour and farm equipment. Putting it on any other vehicle, or on a stationary object on the highway, is prohibited. | Breaking itA violation of the vehicle code |
| The lawA pet bear | What it saysNo one may own, breed, buy or be given a large carnivore, bears included, without a permit dating from when the act began. | Breaking itSee the wild animal page |
Many laws that sound strange are local ordinances rather than state law, and those differ from town to town; this page covers only the Compiled Laws. Whether a particular act broke one of these sections is a question for a licensed Michigan attorney.
Sources for this section (5)
- MCL 750.30 — Adultery; punishment
- MCL 257.710 — Tires; studs or other traction devices
- MCL 257.688 — Additional lights and reflectors, and the slow moving vehicle emblem
- MCL 750.503 — Punishment of a felony when not fixed by statute
- MCL 287.1103 — Large carnivores; prohibited conduct
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Michigan attorney.