General public peeing in Sweden doesn't deserve a fine anymore

The Local reports that a Swedish court lately acquitted a 45-year-old man of his fee for urinating in public. The Nacka resident (just outside Stockholm) perpetrated general public urination without offending, which proved to be enough for a Stockholm courtroom to turn away charges.

Open public peeing begins with the Nacka ruling

Numerous believe it is totally acceptable to urinate in general public, as long as a catheter isn’t required to do so, but most are worried the law will come in because of general public censure. According to Metro, a Swedish newspaper, 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.

However, the Nacka ruling (as it is now popularly called in Sweden) changes the playing field. If it is an emergency, Swedes will now be able to legally pee in public without fines. Public urinators could be freed by the Swedish courtroom as long as all body parts are covered, the person looks for a toilet before doing it, and as long as there is no blatant public exposure. The Spring Break Stockholm crowd probably does not mind the legal precedent, but the Swedish police force may have to deal with something interesting now. Cops have a hard job. When is it inappropriate? When does restraint become necessary?

‘Intent to offend was lacking’

Judge Annika Johansson was the judge of the Stockholm district over the Nacka resident case which is why she was able to say that the resident was not inherently offensive and didn’t mean to offend 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. Evidently he was not intoxicated and conducted himself as discretely as possible under the circumstances.

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

Articles cited

The Local

thelocal.se/29270/20100927/

Marathoners will come running to get it!

youtube.com/watch?v=8eLU5wYWKd4