Laws in United States
How the United States is classified on 46 of the 48 laws this site maps, grouped by subject. Each links to the full answer and its source.
Body & Life
- Abortion
- Varies by region Abortion law varies dramatically by state since Dobbs v. Jackson (2022) — from available on request to near-total bans.
- Euthanasia
- Varies by region Active euthanasia is illegal nationwide, but assisted suicide is legal in several states and the District of Columbia.
- Suicide Laws
- Varies by region Suicide is illegal in some states under certain circumstances, making the legal status vary by region.
- FGM Laws
- Specifically banned FGM is federally criminalized under a 2021 law and banned in 41 states.
- Surrogacy
- Varies by region Surrogacy laws differ significantly by state, with some facilitating, refusing enforcement, or penalizing commercial arrangements.
- Organ Donor Consent
- Opt-in (explicit consent) The US currently uses an opt-in system, with opt-out being proposed.
Money & Games
- Gambling Age
- Varies by region The minimum gambling age is set by state or region.
- Cryptocurrency
- Legal Cryptocurrency is legal to own and trade; regulated at federal and state level.
- Online Gambling
- Varies by region Online gambling legality varies by state, with some states like New Jersey allowing it while others prohibit it.
Daily Life
- Jaywalking
- Varies by region Jaywalking laws and enforcement vary significantly by state and local jurisdiction.
- Drinking in Public
- Varies by region Public drinking laws vary significantly by state and local jurisdiction, with most jurisdictions prohibiting it.
- Public Smoking Bans
- Varies by region Smoking bans in the US vary by state and locality, with no comprehensive federal law covering private businesses.
- Driving Age
- 16–17 Unsupervised driving is typically allowed at 16 with graduated licensing; exact ages vary by state.
- Homeschooling
- Varies by region Homeschooling is legal in every state, but registration, notification and assessment requirements vary widely.
Animals & Environment
- Fur Farming
- Legal Fur farming is legal in the United States, with active mink farms operating as of 2020.
- Cosmetic Animal Testing
- Partial ban Cosmetic animal testing is banned in ten states but not federally.
- Dog Meat
- Banned Slaughter and sale are illegal nationwide, with religious exemptions.
- Plastic Bag Bans
- Partial measures Plastic-bag bans or charges apply in some regions only.
Civic & Family
- Voting Age
- 18 The voting age is 18.
- Compulsory Voting
- Voluntary Voting is voluntary.
- Minimum Working Age
- Under 14 Minimum working age: 12.
Relationships & Sexuality
- Same-Sex Marriage
- Marriage legal Same-sex marriage is legally performed and recognized.
- Same-Sex Activity
- Legal Same-sex sexual activity is legal.
- Sex Work
- Varies by region Prostitution is illegal in every US state except parts of Nevada, where licensed brothels operate in some counties.
- Pornography
- Legal Adult pornography is legal and constitutionally protected speech, with obscenity and child-protection exceptions.
- Divorce
- Legal Divorce is legal in every state; grounds and waiting periods vary by state.
- Non-Binary Recognition
- Limited recognition The US currently restricts federal passport X markers due to ongoing litigation, though some states allow them.
- Same-Sex Adoption
- Joint adoption legal Same-sex couples can jointly petition to adopt.
- Incest Laws
- Criminal offense
- Marriage Age
- 18+ Minimum marriage age: 18.
Speech & Belief
- Blasphemy Laws
- No blasphemy law Blasphemy is not a crime in the United States due to First Amendment protections.
- Apostasy Laws
- Legal There are no legal penalties for apostasy in the United States, and leaving Islam is not a criminal offense.
- Holocaust Denial
- No specific law No specific law criminalises Holocaust denial.
- Flag Desecration
- Legal / protected speech Flag desecration is constitutionally protected and not a criminal offense.
- Conversion Therapy
- Varies by region Conversion therapy bans vary by state, with 23 states and D.C. having enacted restrictions for minors.
Justice & Weapons
- Death Penalty
- Retained / in use Retained in law and used.
- Gun Laws
- Varies by region Firearm laws vary significantly by state, with some requiring permits and others allowing permitless carry.
- School Corporal Punishment
- Varies by region Corporal punishment is lawful in 17 states but banned in others, with no federal law governing it.
- Military Conscription
- No conscription
- Jury Trials
- Jury trials used Jury trials are a fundamental constitutional right for criminal cases and are widely used in civil matters.
Substances
- Cannabis
- Varies by region Cannabis law differs by state or territory within the country.
- Drinking Age
- 21+ Minimum age to buy alcohol: 21.
- Smoking Age
- 19+ Minimum age to buy tobacco: 21.
- Psilocybin Mushrooms
- Varies by region Psilocybin is illegal nationally but decriminalised in some states and cities.
- Salvia Divinorum
- Varies by region Salvia divinorum laws vary by state for possession, sale, transport, and cultivation.
- Khat
- Illegal Cathinone is a Schedule I drug in the US, effectively banning khat, with specific state bans also noted.
Nearby countries
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.