Chicago DUI Lawyers Warn: Sleeping In Your Car Can Lead To A DUI Arrest

Our Chicago DUI attorneys found this story to be a perfect illustration that even sleeping in your car can lead you to be arrested for DUI.

Democratic Delegate Herman Taylor found out this lesson the hard way as he was convicted of DUI last week for sleeping in his car while intoxicated. In a strange twist of fate, Delegate Taylor was a proponent for requiring DUI offenders to have special DUI license plates.

February 8, 2009

Associated Press

ROCKVILLE – A state delegate who once proposed “DUI” license plates for drunken drivers has been convicted of a drunken-driving charge. Democratic Delegate Herman Taylor of Montgomery County (Maryland) was found guilty of driving while impaired by alcohol and fined $250 after an hour-long trial Friday. Taylor did not speak to reporters after the trial.

Last May, a police officer found Taylor asleep in his running car in a 7-Eleven parking lot. Officers testified at Taylor’s trial that after an officer woke the delegate, he said he had drunk one beer. Taylor failed a field sobriety test, then refused to take any more field tests. Later, at a police station, officers said Taylor pretended to blow into a Breathalyzer tube but did not expel any air.

Remember, you do not have to be “driving” to get arrested for a DUI in Illinois. Illinois only requires that you are in “actual physical control” of a motor vehicle to be arrested for DUI. If you feel that you have had too much to drink and are thinking about sleeping it off in your car, you can still be arrested for DUI if, for example, you have the keys in the ignition or if you are in the driver’s seat with the keys in your hand.

The Law Offices of James E. Fabbrini have years of experience protecting people charged with DUI. From first time DUI offenders to felony DUI, our Chicago DUI lawyers have successfully fought DUI charges in Chicago and the surrounding areas.

Protect your freedom, avoid trouble, and save yourself money. Contact our office today. All consultations are absolutely free. Call us at (312) 494-3131 or e-mail us your questions at [email protected]