Laxative Coffee: A Criminal Prank?

is it illegal to put laxatives in your coffee creamer

The question of whether it is illegal to put laxatives in your coffee creamer has been a topic of discussion on online platforms such as Reddit and TikTok. Some people argue that it is illegal and constitutes a booby trap or product tampering, while others claim that it is their property and they should be able to do what they want with it. A lawyer on TikTok stated that it is illegal and that putting a warning label on the creamer would not be a defence. However, some people disagreed and argued that stealing is also a crime. The lawyer clarified that the trap itself is illegal and that having the intention of someone drinking the laxative-laced creamer and getting sick is what makes it a crime.

Characteristics Values
Is it illegal to put laxatives in your coffee creamer? Yes
Is it illegal if someone steals your coffee creamer and gets sick? No

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It is illegal to put laxatives in your coffee creamer if you intend for someone else to drink it

In other words, if you know that someone will drink your coffee creamer and you intend for them to get sick, it is illegal. This is considered a booby trap and product tampering. Even if you label the creamer with your name and a warning, it is still illegal. As @attorneyryan states, "Having your name on it won't be a defense".

The woman in the TikTok video exposed her true intentions by posting the video online, but even without this evidence, the act of setting a trap is illegal. It is important to note that stealing is also a crime, and there are other ways to deter people from taking your food or drink without resorting to illegal and potentially harmful methods.

As one commenter on the original video suggested, you could try putting your creamer in a different container, such as a small thermos flask, and keeping it at your desk rather than in a communal fridge. Alternatively, you could use single-serving creamer portions that do not require refrigeration. While it can be frustrating to have your food or drink stolen, it is not worth breaking the law or causing potential harm to another person.

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Putting laxatives in your coffee creamer is a form of booby trapping, which is illegal

In the case of Katko v. Briney, which every law school student studies, Edward and Bertha Briney owned an old, abandoned farmhouse in Iowa. The house was frequently broken into, so Edward Briney rigged a 20-gauge shotgun to fire whenever a certain bedroom door was opened. Marvin Katko entered the house to steal fruit jars and opened the booby-trapped door. The shotgun blasted his legs and put Katko in the hospital. He filed a lawsuit, Katko v. Briney, and won a $30,000 settlement (which would be about $194,000 in 2020).

In the case of People v. Ceballos, Don Ceballos rigged a .22-caliber pistol in his garage. A teenage boy tried to break into the garage and got shot in the face. Ceballos was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon.

In another case, a Denver handyman, Philip Connaghan, reported numerous break-ins to the police, but they did nothing. So, Connaghan took the law into his own hands and rigged a double-barreled shotgun to a tripwire, even spray-painting a warning on the door. While he was on vacation, the shotgun killed a 19-year-old who was trying to break in. Connaghan was sentenced to just six years of probation and $9,500 in fines for manslaughter.

These cases demonstrate that the law does not approve of booby traps and that you will likely be held criminally and/or civilly liable if someone is hurt or killed by your trap. The law generally considers life more valuable than property, and a mechanical device is "without mercy or discretion". Additionally, a child or other innocent trespasser could be hurt by such a trap, and booby traps also pose a threat to first responders like police and firefighters.

Therefore, putting laxatives in your coffee creamer with the intention of causing discomfort to those who consume it is a form of booby trapping and is illegal. It is important to note that even if you label the creamer as containing laxatives, you could still be held liable if someone consumes it and becomes ill. The better option is to find alternative solutions, such as using single-serving creamer packets that do not require refrigeration or keeping your creamer in a personal mini-fridge or thermos at your desk.

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Writing do not use or may contain laxatives on the creamer will not protect you legally if someone else consumes it

Putting laxatives in your coffee creamer and then writing "do not use" or "may contain laxatives" on it will not protect you legally if someone else consumes it. This is because you are setting a trap, which is illegal. If you are doing it with the intention of someone drinking it and getting sick, it is illegal. Ownership of the food is not a valid defence, as you are still intentionally tainting a consumable product with the knowledge that another person will consume it.

In one case, a woman was charged with multiple counts of negligence and intentional harm after putting laxatives in her creamer stored in a company fridge. Even if you write a warning on the creamer, you could still face criminal charges for poisoning.

The legality of the situation comes down to intent. If you are intentionally spiking your drink with the hope that a drink thief will consume it and get injured, then yes, you could be charged. However, if you are spiking it because you are constipated and someone drinks it without your knowledge, you will probably not face charges.

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Putting laxatives in your coffee creamer and offering it to someone without their knowledge is considered poisoning

In the specific scenario of adding laxatives to coffee creamer, the key issue is the intent behind the action. If you knowingly add laxatives to your creamer with the intention of causing harm to someone who uses it without your permission, you are engaging in illegal behaviour. The fact that the creamer is labelled with your name or marked as "do not use" does not absolve you of responsibility. The act of setting a trap, regardless of warnings, is what constitutes the illegal behaviour.

It is important to understand that taking the law into your own hands can have unintended consequences and may cause more harm than good. While it is frustrating to have your belongings stolen or used without permission, there are alternative solutions to deter theft or unauthorized use. Some suggestions include using single-serving creamers, keeping your creamer in a personal mini-fridge or thermos, or adding food colouring to make it less appealing.

Additionally, it is worth noting that laxatives can have adverse effects on certain individuals. Some people may have allergies or medical conditions that could be severely impacted by the consumption of laxatives. Therefore, it is crucial to refrain from adding any substances to food or beverages that are intended for others without their explicit knowledge and consent.

In summary, putting laxatives in your coffee creamer with the intention of causing harm to someone who uses it without your permission is illegal and can lead to criminal charges. It is essential to respect the law and find alternative solutions to address issues of theft or unauthorized use of your belongings.

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Putting laxatives in your own coffee creamer is not illegal. However, if you put laxatives in your coffee creamer with the intention of causing harm to someone else, you may face legal consequences.

In a now-deleted TikTok video, a woman added laxative powder to her coffee creamer because her co-workers kept using it without her permission. Another TikTok user, @attorneyryan, who is a lawyer, reacted to the video and alleged that what the woman did was illegal. He claimed that it was a crime and that it didn't matter if she wrote "do not use" because she knew that someone else would drink it. He also said that putting laxatives in the coffee creamer was essentially setting a trap, which is illegal.

Some people disagreed with @attorneyryan, arguing that the woman had a right to do what she wanted with her own drink and that the people who were using her creamer were stealing. However, @attorneyryan continued to explain that the trap itself was illegal, regardless of what was written on the jug. He stated that if someone sets a trap with the intention of someone using it and getting sick, it is illegal. He also mentioned that having your name on the creamer would not be a defence.

It is important to note that booby traps are illegal and can result in criminal charges. Additionally, tampering with food products can also lead to legal trouble. While it may be frustrating to have your coffee creamer stolen, it is not worth risking legal consequences by putting laxatives in it.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, it is illegal to put laxatives in your coffee creamer if you intend for someone else to drink it. It is considered a booby trap and product tampering.

Yes, you can still get in trouble even if you label the creamer as containing laxatives. If someone drinks it, they can claim that you set a trap and intended for them to get sick.

The consequences of putting laxatives in your coffee creamer can be both criminal and civil. You may face criminal charges for poisoning and intentional harm, as well as civil lawsuits from the affected individuals.

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