Urinating in general public not a criminal offense, says Sweden

The Local, an English-language publication in Sweden, most recently reported that a 45-year-old man avoided a fine for general public peeing. The Nacka resident (just outside Stockholm) perpetrated public urination without offending, which proved to be sufficient for a Stockholm court to turn away charges.

Everyone able to do general public peeing with the Nacka judgment

Most individuals have the capability to urinate in public – assuming an elaborate catheter isn’t required – however the vast majority fears either public censure or the long arm of the law. The Swedish newspaper Metro points out that public urination is indeed banned by statute in Sweden – there’s an 800 kronor fine ($120) – however that did not stop about 5,000 Swedes at critical mass from seeking public relief in 2009.

However, the Nacka ruling (as it is now popularly called in Sweden) changes the playing field. If it is an emergency, Swedes will now be in a position to legally pee in general public without fines. Public urinators will be freed by the Swedish court as long as all body parts are covered, the person looks for a toilet before doing it, and as long as there is no blatant general public exposure. This could possibly be something very interesting and messy for Swedish police force to deal with. Of course, Spring Break Stockholm people won’t mind the change at all. When does a cop decide someone needs to be fined? When should the person be fined?

‘Intent to offend was lacking’

Stockholm district court Judge Annika Johansson determined that the Nacka resident’s actions weren’t intended to offend others and were not inherently offensive. There weren’t any public toilets within the area where the man was waiting for a bus to come. Eventually he could wait no longer and stationed himself behind the bus stop façade. He was not intoxicated when he made this decision. He also was doing what he could to be discreet over it all.

America, take note. It is possible to interpret a law reasonable while observing it nevertheless.

Information from

The Local

thelocal.se/29270/20100927/

Marathoners will come running to get it!

youtube.com/watch?v=8eLU5wYWKd4