Swedish courtroom rules general public peeing isn't a crime in certain cases

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

Public peeing starts with the Nacka judgment

Most people have the capability to pee in general public – assuming an elaborate catheter is not required – however the vast majority fears either general 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 general public relief in 2009.

Of course, Sweden’s popular Nacka ruling changes things a bit. If it is an emergency, Swedes will now be able to legally urinate in general public without fines. 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 court may allow general public urinators to walk. That’s a lawful precedent that may sound like a boon to the Spring Break Stockholm crowd, however in reality it could wind up being a sticky interpretation-related mess for Swedish law enforcement. Cops have a hard job. When is it inappropriate? When should the person be fined?

'Intent to upset was lacking’ states the judge

Stockholm district court Judge Annika Johansson determined that the Nacka resident’s actions were not intended to upset others and were not inherently offensive. There weren’t any public toilets in the area where the man was waiting for a bus to come. He went behind the bus stop façade when he decided he could not wait anymore. He wasn’t intoxicated when he made this decision. He also was doing what he could to be discreet about this all.

America, take note. Observance of law and reasonable interpretation can co-exist.

Citations

The Local

thelocal.se/29270/20100927/

Marathoners will come running to get it!

youtube.com/watch?v=8eLU5wYWKd4