What is a road traveler to do? Does anyone have any experience or knowledge about vagrancy laws? I know they differ place to place, but this seems like something important for someone on foot or on a bike who is traveling around the country. How can you avoid being taken to jail for it, what kind of penalties do you face? Any useful info or tips would be appreciated, please post them here.
I've been on the road a good 10 years and I don't think I've ever been hassled for vagrancy. Not saying it couldn't happen, there's laws on the books and all, but I think if you always look like you're passing through cops won't bother with you. Either that or they'll arrest you and try to pin something else on you to get it off the books, or so they can put you on a work crew. Not kidding, this shit happens.
only time i was ever arreststed for vagrancy was tacked onto public drunk and obstruction of a officer in monahans texas,,,..got a 500 dollar fine,,then i told the judge i aint got no money ya arrested me for vagrancy remember?? wound up with a 6 week vacation from the road over that one,,ah wernt bad,small town jail 3 meals a day,,i think i probably gained a few pounds...
I have travelled through many states and I would have to agree with what everyone else is saying...I.D. and a couple bucks...Oh and careful where you sleep...I got hassled many of times just from bad luck of picking the wrong place to sleep. Oh and make sure that the people that you are traveling with don't have warrants...the cops seem to think that you are guilty by associtaion...and if you don't a have an address, car or hotel room nearby they may give you a place to stay...if you know what I mean.
keep some form of valid, preferably state issued ID on you, and you shouldn't have a problem...money in your pocket has nothing to do with it really, least anywhere that I know of
many places have done away with vagrancy laws, however, police anywhere can legally detain you for up to 72 hours to run prints, etc., if you do not have valid ID
i've heard that in boston if you don't have a minimum of $25 in your wallet you can be charged with vagrancy. and you need your id, of course. that just seems like an unreasonable amount of money, though.. most people don't have $25 on them at any given moment. could that be true? are there any places where you need more than just a couple bucks? it would be mighty unfair, but i wouldn't be too surprised.
So long as you have ID you should be ok. Vagrancy is hard to prosecute. Also, be careful where you sleep. In NYC the former Mayer rounded up people who were homeless and locked them into psychiatric hospitals.
