Peeing in general public not a criminal offense, claims Sweden

Public urination may not be a significant offense in Sweden anymore, writes The Local. A 45-year-old man at a bus stop who couldn’t wait was acquitted of charges. A Stockholm courtroom found the Nacka resident was under control and attempted not to pee in public. Thus, they ruled his penalty – which the man was challenging – was unnecessary.

Nacka ruling just brought on lots of general public urination

Most individuals have the capability to pee in public – assuming an elaborate catheter is not required – however the vast majority fears either public censure or the long arm of the law. As outlined by Metro, a Swedish publication, 5,000 Swedes relieved themselves in public in 2009 despite it being against the law in Sweden which means a 800 kroner, or $120, is fined to them.

Of course, Sweden’s popular Nacka ruling changes things a bit. The judgment said that Swedes may not be fined for urinating in general public. It has to be an emergency though. So long as the afflicted makes reasonable effort to discover a toilet, and barring that avoids blatant general public exposure and shields body parts, a Swedish courtroom may allow public urinators to walk. That’s a lawful precedent that may sound like a boon towards the Spring Break Stockholm crowd, but in reality it could wind up being a sticky interpretation-related mess for Swedish law enforcement. Where does a cop draw the line? When does restraint become necessary?

‘Intent to offend was lacking’

Judge Annika Johansson was the court of the Stockholm district over the Nacka resident case which is why she was able to say that that the resident wasn’t inherently offensive and did not mean to upset individuals. The man just needed to go the bathroom. He was waiting for the bus and no toilets were around. He went behind the bus stop façade when he decided he could not wait anymore. He was not intoxicated when he made this decision. He also was doing what he could to be discreet about it all.

America, take note. It is possible to follow the law with reasonable interpretation. This is proof.

Info from

The Local

thelocal.se/29270/20100927/

Marathoners will come running to get it!

youtube.com/watch?v=8eLU5wYWKd4