7 WEIRD LAWS IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.

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​We have some unusual and downright strange laws in T&T. Did you know these 7 weird laws existed in Trinidad and Tobago?: ​

1. Pet Mongoose anyone?

Aww they look so cute and cuddly don't they? Ever wanted to own a mongoose as a pet? Well just so you know...it's illegal to own mongooses in Trinidad & Tobago. According to the Mongoose Act (yes that's right..we have a MONGOOSE Act):

"4. (1) No person shall keep or have in his possession any live mongoose. (2) Any person who contravenes this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars."

And you can't import the cute critters either. The Mongoose Act also says:
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"2. (1) No person shall import or cause to be imported into Trinidad and Tobago any live animal of the description known as mongoose. (2) Any person who contravenes this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars."

2. Don't air your dirty laundry.

We're not talking about your personal secrets – we’re talking about ACTUAL laundry. In Trinidad and Tobago persons cannot put clothes out to dry in the street. Under the Section 64 (1) of the Summary Offences Act: 

"64. (1) Any person who commits any of the following offences in any street is, for each offence, liable to a fine of two hundred dollars or to imprisonment for one month, that is to say, any person who:

(e) hangs or places any clothes on any line or cord projecting over any part of any street, or on any wall, fence or paling abutting upon any street".

3. Flying kites in Port of Spain (or any borough) is prohibited :s

Did you know flying kites in the city of Port of Spain and any borough in Trinidad and Tobago is actually prohibited? According to section 71 of the Summary Offences Act:

"71. (1) Any person who flies or attempts to fly any kite in any place within the limits of the city of Port-of-Spain or of any borough, or in any other area which may be declared by the Minister, by Order, to be an area to which this section applies, is liable to a fine of forty dollars."

Police officers can even destroy a kite that a person flies illegally. Thankfully, this law does not apply to flying kites within Queen's Park Savannah and in the Arima Savannah - you're free to fly your kite there (phew). 

4. Don't roll that hoop!

Hoop rolling, also called hoop trundling, is both a sport and a child's game in which a large hoop is rolled along the ground, generally by means of an object wielded by the player. The aim of the game is to keep the hoop upright for long periods of time, or to do various tricks [Source: Wikipedia]. In Trinidad & Tobago, this simple childhood game is actually illegal to play in the street.

Under the Section 64 (1) of the Summary Offences Act: 
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"64. (1) Any person who commits any of the following offences in any street is, for each offence, liable to a fine of two hundred dollars or to imprisonment for one month, that is to say, any person who:

 (k) trundles a hoop;"

5. Fortune Telling

Reading palms and looking through crystal balls to tell people's futures? - Well you're actually breaking the law in T&T. Yep, that's right; pretending or professing to tell fortunes is actually illegal in Trinidad and Tobago. Under section 45 of the Summary Offences Act:

"45. A person committing any of the offences mentioned below in this section may be deemed an idle and disorderly person, and shall be liable to a fine of two hundred dollars, or to imprisonment for one month--
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(e) any person pretending or professing to tell fortunes."

6. Washing your car in public

Time to wash your car? Just make sure to wash it in your yard and not in a public street. Why? Because washing it in the street can actually get you in trouble with the law.

​According to Section 64 of the Summary Offences Act:  anyone who "makes, repairs, washes, or cleans any vehicle (except in case of accident where repair on the spot is necessary)" in any street is liable to a fine of $200 or imprisonment for up to one month.

7. Camo is a NO NO.

The majority of us know that camouflage clothing is illegal in Trinidad and Tobago but did you know that this law is pretty unique to the Caribbean and most countries around the world do not ban the wearing of camouflage by non-members of the army? Here's a list of countries that prohibit camouflage clothing.

In Trinidad and Tobago it is illegal to wear any item of clothing resembling the uniform of the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force. According to section 219 of the Defence Force Act:

"219. A person, other than a member of the Defence Force, who without lawful excuse (the proof whereof shall lie on him)--
(a) wears the uniform or any portion of the uniforms of a member of the Defence Force; or
(b) wears any costume or any article of clothing or apparel so closely resembling the uniform or any portion thereof of a member of the Defence Force, as may cause such person to be mistaken for a member of the Defence Force, is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars and to imprisonment for eighteen months."

Important Notice: This post does not constitute or provide legal advice. Always consult with a suitably qualified attorney-at-law on any legal problem or issue.

Law For All is managed by the Aurora Chambers Legal Practice.

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