DWI Laws in Minnesota and across the nation can sometimes get a little out of hand.
Sometimes you look at the news reports and think to yourself, "that was crazy and dangerous." In2007, a New Jersey Judge ruled the Zamboni driver can not be prosecutedfor DUI / Drunk Driving / DWI because the Zamboni can’t be used on thehighways nor carry passengers. (
AP) Another man tried to get away with the same act in Portland, ME, in 2008, his luck was not so good. (
AP)
But in other cases you start to wonder if the laws are being stretchedtoo far. We all have a general understanding of the "intent" of DWIlaws, even if we question their actual application. In Alabama, 2007,a young woman was arrested for a DWI when her vehicle had a mind of itsown, literally. She was arrested while riding a horse. (
AP) The same thing happened to a 42 year-old man in Kentucky, 2005. (
TheLouisvilleChannel.com)
InMinnesota, I feel that we are at least a little more reasonable aboutwhat constitutes a vehicle for the DWI statutes. 62 year-old DennisAnderson probably thought so as well. That is until he managed tomodify his La-Z-Boy to include a stereo, cup holders, and a convertedlawnmower. Eventually on his ride home, he hit a parked car and wasarrested for driving while intoxicated. Mr. Anderson received 180 daysstayed and two years of probation after pleading guilty.
Since then it appears that Mr. Anderson's La-Z-Boy was seized after the arrest and sold through its
eBay auction. The city managed to receive a winning bid of $10,099.99. More information can be found at
Law.com
Posted on
Wed, November 11, 2009
by Landon Ascheman
filed under