Today, as I wandered through the streets of an unfamiliar city, I spotted a cop and darted across the street to ask for assistance. He kindly gave me directions as he wrote me out a citation for jaywalking. FML
Collection
Fall
Dead leaves, the first cold of the season and an umbrella flipped inside out: fall, the season of grace.
Today, I was going 73 in a 55 on a country road when an oncoming cop passed me. He pulled a U turn. I turned off the main road and took random turns. I got lost, was 30 minutes late to work, and the cop still found me and gave me two tickets. I had to ask him for directions. FML
Today, I rushed back to my car, as the parking meter was about to expire. I got fined by the police for jaywalking, which allowed just enough time for the parking meter to expire, and to get a fine for that too. I probably would have made it in time if I just walked calmly. FML
Today, while I was driving, a police officer jumped out from the sidewalk and into my lane. I slammed on the brakes so I wouldn't hit him. He then gave me a ticket for "obstructing traffic." FML
Today, I was on my way home when I saw a cop hiding behind a Budget truck. I immediately slowed down and prayed that he wouldn't give me a ticket. Then I realized I was walking. FML
Today, at a red light, an old lady crossing the street fell right in front of my car. I got out of my car to help her. The light turned green and I was still helping the woman to her feet. An officer came by and ticketed me for "impeding the flow of traffic." FML
Today, out of desperation, I had to fight my social anxiety in order ask a stranger for directions in a new city. She gave me a detailed answer, and I thanked her, then walked the wrong way for 15 minutes because I was too embarrassed to admit I’d understood none of it past the first sentence. FML
Today, I stopped and helped a young lady stuck on the side of the road. Guess who got accused of forcing myself and got charged with impersonating a police officer. FML
Today, a police officer pulled me over. He asked me where I was headed, so I jokingly replied, "Probably to jail after you run my name". He laughed and took my information, only to then arrest me for unpaid parking tickets I never received. FML
Today, I tried to take a shortcut home. I got lost and had to ask a stranger for directions. They pointed to the street sign above me that literally had my street's name on it. FML
Today, I got lost trying to find the hospital my sister was giving birth in. I stopped at a store to call my mom for directions. A cop pulled up beside me and knocked loudly on my window asking me to get out. The store had been robbed and I am now a suspect. FML
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Top comments
equitationbound 22
There's a cop for you.
caleb_9756 14
It's "The Gateway Crime"
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Comments (118)
Meechiepie 13
Gotta say OP, that is really really stupid of you. Even though it is a minor offence, it is still against the law. Don't commit crimes (no matter how small) directly in front of a police officer because that is asking for it. Would you litter in front of a cop too??
SarahSehhati 40
stfu......
culphy 14
I agree that you shouldn't commit crimes but j-walking should not be considered a crime unless it is a major road (freeway/highway) and it is unsafe to do so. Most mentally competent individuals can cross a road without being a hazard to themselves or traffic...
ElmoSaysSquishy 28
Also jaywalking isn't a crime everywhere. I'm from Scotland and people jaywalk all the time.
doodlecloud 27
Yeah, from London and I probably jaywalk more than I don't jaywalk...particularly where I live, it's like lights don't really exist. I was actually really surprised and annoyed when I first found out it was a crime in other countries! I could see myself getting arrested on holiday just because it's not something I think about. If there aren't any cars or they're far away/slow moving it's safe to cross dammit!
xNephilim 19
I don't believe jaywalking is a jailable offense. Would make for some pretty interesting jail conversations though. "What are you in for?" "Murdering my wife. You?" "Jaywalking " "..."
kozzard 17
Where I live, the cops won't ticket you for jaywalking by itself. The ticket paper costs more than the actual fine lol
TheMathMajor 26
They really need to ticket jaywalkers more in Atlanta. There are so many pedestrian deaths every year. In a big city with lots of traffic it makes sense to have jaywalking laws.
xNephilim 19
Really part of the reason jaywalking is illegal in the US is that on top of people in general being morons and not paying attention to where they're walking, Americans are some of the worst drivers because there's virtually no such thing as Driver's Ed. You really don't want to cross the road in a place where people don't know how to drive.
Sassie8810 9
Actually, it's not a crime everywhere. As OP was in from out if town, he might not have known he was breaking the law. The cop could have let him off with a warning.
raspution 21
Depends on where you live in CA I belive its 550 and littering is 10000.
spekledworf 18
In my town there aren't many crosswalks and theres one intersection I can think of that has pedestrian lights, so you can't get anywhere without jaywalking. Also, it's a $1 fine, incase anyone was wondering
johnbooger 19
ide throw a donut at one and run around in circles ss he chased me, watch him puff out, laugh then walk away
ethan_unoxx 29
sorry op.
Lambofan217 8
Hey my dad is a cop and I bet that he would be one of the nicest guys you ever met (instead of being a dick like most of think cops are). However, he does have to do his job and right people up for disobeying the laws (and jaywalking is a nationwide misdemeanor and you would be written up no matter where you were at).
Psychicgirl17 18
actually in new jersey I've never heard of anyone being ticketed for jaywalking. people do it all the time in front of cops.
Khorlik 6
My dad is a cop as well, and it pissed me off how people automatically thing they are all retarded dicks
martin998877 12
What nation? Not everyone lives in the same country. I'm in the uk and we can cross wherever we want.
SammyS2012 21
OP and the commentor are both from the US, so when nationwide is stated, it should be assumed that the nation being spoken about is the US.
BobbieH 19
Jaywalking is not a misdemeanor, its a civil infraction. Also it's not a US national law, its a local municipal law. Many towns and cities do not have a jaywalking infraction in the civil code.
91hayek 31
With entire cities going bankrupt there is an incentive for local authorities to make as much money as possible especially if they are in the red. Parking tickets, citations - if it can make money, they'll be on it as their jobs and towns depend on it. FYL OP especially since they prey on strangers who don't know the rules or are too out of their comfort zones to fight it.
onlychildFTW 34
Well j-walking is a pretty universal law. That is an obvious one. But ignorance is no excuse to a crime, no matter how small.
izntdan 14
Dude cities get very little money from tickets most of it goes to the state
MandyMeow_fml 18
At least you got directions, stick to the cross walks next time.
FroggerForReal 11
he's just doing his job I guess but then again he could've let it slide maybe that one time. This one hard to call. sorry OP.
WeakYoungTeen 21
I'm surprised he didn't shoot you instead!
dawnimus 21
In the UK we teach our kids to cross the road safely. Jaywalking isn't a thing. It's ridiculous that it is illegal in the US.
jds91_fml 7
at least you got directions :p
UNLUCKYyY1037 26
But he could walk down a 5 lane interstate doing cartwheels and he wouldn't even get looked at funny!