Walk It Through: The Road Trip
Everyone 18 and older belted, an open container as evidence, and the same suspension again.
A teenage nephew and an adult friend climb into the back seat and leave their belts off.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One trip with a car full of friends. Child restraint devices, buses and taxis for hire, and impoundment after an impaired driving suspension are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Passenger areaThe driver's seat, anywhere within the driver's reach including an unlocked glove box, and the passenger seats, where an open container with some of the drink gone creates a rebuttable presumption that the driver has been drinking.
- Class 1 misdemeanorThe highest misdemeanor class, punishable by up to twelve months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both.