Recent reports from the English-language Swedish publication The Local indicate the Swedish legal system is willing to turn a blind eye toward general public peeing, if a Stockholm court’s treatment of a 45-year-old bus stop offender is any indication. The man from Nacka (a Stockholm suburb) got off because he was discrete and failed to upset, which fulfilled a Stockholm court’s litmus test.
Nacka ruling makes open public peeing acceptable to all
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) – but that did not stop about 5,000 Swedes at critical mass from seeking 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 pee in public without fines. If a public urinator claims to have no blatant public exposure, has looked for a toilet and has all body parts covered, he or she can’t be in trouble. The law can have to let them go because of the court. This might be something very interesting and messy for Swedish police force to deal with. Of course, Spring Break Stockholm individuals won’t mind the change at all. Where does a cop draw the line? When it is time to stop it?
'Intent to upset was lacking’ claims the judge
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 didn’t mean to offend individuals. The man was waiting for a bus in an area without public toilets. 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 should pay attention. 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
