Oops…That’s Illegal!: A Handbook for the Wildly Curious

by Mike Mandell

From the popular creator of @LawByMike, a hilarious guide to all your legal questions--from the obscure to the downright absurd.  Could you be arrested if you let your kids have a few sips of wine with dinner? Is it illegal to lie on your dating profile? Can a python be an emotional support animal? Most people don’t know the majority of our country’s laws, so they don’t know how to avoid breaking them, what their actual rights are, or when they can seek legal recourse. Lawyer Mike Mandell is here to change that, by answering your most burning legal questions...and some you didn’t even know you had! OOPS…THAT’S ILLEGAL! is a book of legal insight from a practicing lawyer who’s seen it all. Using the same light heartedness and humor that made his social account @LawByMike so popular, Mandell covers a wide range of topics from police encounters (Is it illegal to do a U-turn at a DUI checkpoint?) to party fouls (What’s the penalty for streaking?) to legal disputes (Can I sue my own lawyer for doing a bad job?). Funny, informative, and sprinkled with little-known legal facts throughout, OOPS…THAT’S ILLEGAL! is sure to help even the most upstanding citizens when they come face-to-face with their next legal dilemma.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Law

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication June 16, 2026

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn’t heard of Mike Mandell prior to reading this book, but after finishing it I can see why he has over 18 million subscribers on YouTube.
His sense of humor definitely comes across in his writing, and I’d imagine that it comes across even more so in his videos.

Although this book was primarily written for entertainment (and it is entertaining), it also includes some basic but practical information on employment law, tenant’s rights, what to say (and what not to say) when pulled over by police, and even legal issues pertaining to dating/sex.
Some of the case studies supporting an answer were even more interesting and surprising than the question being asked.

Obviously this is not going to be a substitute for speaking with an attorney, but if you just want some of the basics that are presented in a fun way, this is a great read!

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange with my honest review.

Pub Date: June 16, 2026

[Joan Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In case you were wondering, one can sue a child aged four years and older. Also, if you plan to sleep it off in your car, it would be wise to put any open containers in the trunk and yourself into the back seat. This is the kind of helpful (?) information offered by attorney Mike Mandell. His book covers a variety of legal topics regarding contracts, traffic stops, and personal injury, among many others. All of his friendly advice (not to be confused with legal advice) is delivered with a fun dose of humor. Since laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, all of the advice is rather generic, but it does offer information on how to proceed should a person find themselves on the wrong side of the law. This is an entertaining, easy read, free of the legalese that confuses most lay people.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Mandell’s Oops… That’s Illegal is a genuinely funny and entertaining read. Written by a lawyer, the book tackles legal questions that border on the absurd, breaking down how the law actually interprets them in a way that’s both accessible and laugh-out-loud amusing.

I had a lot of fun learning how everyday (and not-so-everyday) scenarios are viewed through a legal lens. Many of the questions were things I’d wondered about but never thought to ask, and the wide range of topics keeps the book fresh throughout. Mandell’s humor and personality really shine, making this an unexpectedly educational and highly enjoyable nonfiction read.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this upcoming book***
This book was FANTASTIC!! I was unfamiliar with the author and just happened to stumble upon this on NetGalley while looking for upcoming books to read. It was a breeze to read, it contains a lot of useful and interesting information and best of all it's hilarious! This book should appeal to pretty much everyone and is definitely worth giving a read!

[Cari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and to consider for purchase for my library.

Loved this! It's so funny and also informative. I am not much of a YouTube person, but my kids are, so I try to steer them to informative videos. Thus, we have watched a few of the Law by Mike videos. I really enjoyed learning about the law in a fun format.

[Greer Rutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hilarious yet well informed! Thankful to have access to the ARC! Loved all the random illegal things I did not know. Like apparently cannibalism is legal... it is just the things to get to that point which are illegal... huh