Is It Illegal to Pee Outdoors in South Dakota?
Here's something almost everyone can relate to, chances are you've been on one of those really long car trips that have you out in the middle of nowhere, with the nearest town or public rest area miles, and I mean miles, and miles away!
Then, as luck would have it, you suddenly are overcome with the urge to relieve the inner pressure that is building up inside the walls of your bladder. In other words, you gotta pee, and I mean right now!
First, that will teach you for purchasing the 1-gallon bottle of water at the last gas station you filled up at. Never get the monster-size drink while traveling!
Secondly, you should never ever bypass the chance to hit a restroom once the urge to see a man about a horse sets in.
Is It Illegal to Pee Outdoors in South Dakota?
So, here comes the million-dollar question, can you legally pull over and water the weeds without running the risk of getting some kind of indecent exposure charge, or worse yet, end up being forced to register as a sex offender, if you get caught?
Hey, we've all seen the movie Horrible Bosses right, that's what happened to Dale Arbus, who made the decision to pee near a children's playground at night while he was drunk.
Now granted, the chances of getting caught answering nature's call behind some bush out in the middle of nowhere is remote at best, but, if you have the kind of luck, I have most days, anything can happen.
So let's say some law officer does pull up and spots you breaking the seal, now what?
Well, according to the folks at Criminaldefenselawyer.com urinating in public will typically get you a disorderly conduct charge in most states. That charge could become more severe should you be caught peeing in public with the intent of indecent exposure or public lewdness. Get busted for that, and you will more than likely be joining Dale on the sex offender list.
Can you legally pull over and water the weeds?
Many city and county criminal ordinances also ban public urination, and people are often charged under these ordinances for it. A typical ordinance might prohibit urination "on any street, sidewalk, alley, plaza, park, beach public building or public facility, or any place open to the public or exposed to public view."
These types of ordinances also ban public urination on private property, so there goes your ability to take a whiz in your front yard in plain sight of people driving by too.
If you're wondering, the typical disorderly conduct charge in most states could result in incarceration in county jail, a payment of a fine, and some kind of community service. Basically, three things you don't want.
Now that you know this, the next time you plan on taking a long car trip, and nature comes a calling, you might want to make a pit stop at the next rest stop, it will make your bladder much gladder. Especially if your bladder is the size of a pea.
Source: Criminal Defense Lawyer.com