Driving under the influence laws don’t just apply to individuals driving motor vehicles, they also apply to driving lawn mowers. A Michigan man was recently charged with driving under the influence for driving his lawn mower through a parking lot.
The man pleaded guilty to drunk driving after he was charged with a felony count of driving under the influence. Police officers said that the man had a blood-alcohol content level of 0.10, which is higher than the legal limit in Michigan. Law enforcement officials said this is the man’s third drunk driving offense and could be sentenced to 45 days in prison.
Michigan law allows a person to be charged with drunk driving if he or she operates a motorized vehicle on a highway or place that is considered public. The man’s defense attorney said he was surprised that his client was charged with drunk driving since he was only driving a lawn mower.
Since the man pleaded guilty to the drunk driving charges, he is not disputing that he was driving drunk. However, the man said that he hopes he does not receive any jail time because he may end up losing his job if he is sent to jail. The man is scheduled to be sentenced in May.
This case shows the different ways someone can be charged with driving under the influence according to Michigan laws. Drunk driving charges are very serious and can result in prison sentences. Individuals who have been arrested or charged with driving under the influence should contact a criminal defense attorney to discuss their case and protect their rights.
Source: USA Today, “Man who drove lawn mower drunk could get jail time,” Tammy Stables Battaglia, April 11, 2013
