10 Legal Things in America That Totally Shock Foreigners

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10 Legal Things in America That Totally Shock Foreigners

The U.S. legal system has some features that can really catch foreigners off guard. From unusual highway driving laws to varying legal drinking ages and the idea of jury duty, the legal landscape in America is full of practices that stand out from those in other countries. Here, we have a look into ten legal quirks that might surprise someone visiting from abroad.

1. Fast Lanes

In some parts of the U.S., there are restrictions on who can use the fast lane on highways. Often referred to as the carpool or HOV lane, it’s designed to encourage carpooling by allowing vehicles with more than two passengers to use this lane, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

2. Additional Sentences

In the U.S. justice system, it is possible for court sentences to be cumulative. This means that an individual convicted of multiple crimes might receive separate sentences for each crime, which are served consecutively, leading to total sentences that can exceed a century.

3. The system leans more towards the accusatorial tradition

The U.S. legal system is fundamentally accusatorial, meaning that the court acts as a neutral arena where two parties present their evidence and arguments. The judge or jury then determines the truth based on the presented evidence, contrasting with inquisitorial systems where the judge plays a more active role in investigating the facts.

4. Different Drinking Ages

While many countries set the legal drinking age at 18, in the United States, you must be 21 years old to legally consume alcohol. This higher age limit can be unexpected to visitors from places where younger adults are accustomed to being able to drink legally.

5. Firearm Laws

Compared to many other countries, the U.S. has relatively lenient laws regarding firearms. Foreigners are often surprised to learn about the differences in state regulations concerning the right to own, carry, and use guns, as well as the widespread culture of gun ownership.

6. Jury Duty

In the U.S., jury duty is a civic obligation that requires citizens to serve as jurors in court cases. This process, which randomly selects citizens to help decide the outcomes of legal proceedings, can be a novel concept for those from countries where jury systems are not used.

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7. Suing Culture

The U.S. is known for its litigious environment, where lawsuits are a common method for resolving disputes. This aspect of American legal culture often appears excessive to people from countries where litigation is less frequent and less emphasized.

8. Americans elect the President indirectly

In the U.S., the president is elected not directly by the people, but through an Electoral College. This system can be perplexing for foreigners who are accustomed to direct democratic elections.

9. Different States Means Different Laws

The U.S. is made up of 50 states, each with the power to create and enforce its own laws. This results in significant legal variations from one state to another, which can be confusing for foreigners who might expect more uniformity in national laws.

10. Joining The Army

In the United States, you are considered a legal adult at the age of 18, capable of making certain decisions like joining the military. However, other adult privileges such as drinking alcohol are only granted at 21. This discrepancy in age-related rights can be unexpected to those from other countries.

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