QUESTION
Am I liable if someone in my car got a DUI?
Asked on Nov 06th, 2011 on Criminal Law - North Carolina
More details to this question:
Can someone get a ticket for letting someone else drive their car and getting a DUI?
25 ANSWERS
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Santa Ana, CA
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Law Offices of Paula Drake
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Did you get a ticket for that? What is the charge on the ticket? It does not sound like something typical.
Answered on Jul 03rd, 2013 at 1:36 AM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Howell, MI
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Law Offices of Jules N. Fiani
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Yes.
Answered on Jun 02nd, 2013 at 9:54 PM
Jacob P. Sartz
Possibly. It depends on your facts. There are scenarios where a car-owner could be held responsible civilly or charged criminally for the conduct of a driver. I'd recommend you retain a lawyer.
Answered on Nov 14th, 2011 at 9:12 AM
Samuel H. Harrison
Usually not, unless you knew or should have known the person was under the influence when you let them drive the car.
Answered on Nov 11th, 2011 at 9:33 AM
Steven D. Dunnings
No, but if you knew the person was intoxicated, you might have your vehicle impounded.
Answered on Nov 09th, 2011 at 1:27 PM
Transportation Attorney serving Mamaroneck, NY
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Palumbo & Associates, PC
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There could be criminal as well as civil liability.
Answered on Nov 09th, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Michael J. Breczinski
Yes it is possible if you knew they were intoxicated and let them drive.
Answered on Nov 09th, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Automobile Attorney serving East Lansing, MI
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Nichols Law Firm PLLC
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In Michigan your car could be immobilized.
Answered on Nov 09th, 2011 at 8:54 AM
Allowing a person you know to be intoxicated drive your vehicle is a crime.
Answered on Nov 09th, 2011 at 8:50 AM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Pittsburgh, PA
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Law Office of Jeffrey L. Pollock
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Most likely, such a Negligent Entrustment issue would only arise in a civil suit if someone was injured by the driver.
Answered on Nov 09th, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Keeley D. Heath
Yes. The offense is allowing operating while intoxicated and is a 93 day misdemeanor.
Answered on Nov 09th, 2011 at 12:05 AM
Adoptions Attorney serving Lansing, MI
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Austin Legal Services, PLC
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You can be charged if you knowingly let someone drive your car that you know to be intoxicated or should have reasonably believed to have been intoxicated. That is a 93-day misdemeanor. If you do so and the intoxicated driver causes serious injury or death to someone else, then you can be charged with felonies.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 11:45 PM
Insurance Defense Attorney serving Portland, OR
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American Family Insurance Group
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You can't get a ticket for someone else's law violation. Whether you're on the hook in a lawsuit if you loaned your vehicle to someone who then got in an accident is a different question. In this matter, however, you are not criminally liable for your friend's drunk driving.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Criminal Law Attorney serving Los Angeles, CA
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Law Office of Edward J. Blum
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You may be criminally liable as an aider and abetter. You may be civilly liable for negligent entrustment.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Assault Attorney serving Richardson, TX
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I know of no provision in the law for that. You might have a problem if you were aware that the driver was intoxicated and allowed him to drive the car and there was a wreck.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Criminal Trial Attorney serving San Jose, CA
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Law Office of Thomas F. Mueller
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No, unless you forced them to drive. The D.A. could technically charge you with aiding and abetting or conspiracy but they never do.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:44 PM
James Lochead
The registered owner of a motor vehicle is liable for injury or damages resulting from the vehicle in question. There does not appear to be any injury to person or property in the scenario recited, therefore no damages. Therefore there would be no basis for a citation being issued, merely because you granted permission for another person to drive your car.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:42 PM
If you let someone drive your car when you know that they are intoxicated you may be liable for damage that they cause because of driving intoxicated but you cannot get a ticket for doing this.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:37 PM
Criminal Attorney serving Santa Barbara, CA
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Law Office of Kenneth M. Hallum
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Generally no, unless there was an accident. However, your car may be in jeopardy as there are statutes that courts can utilize to impound vehicles though very seldom done by the courts.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:18 PM
Bankruptcy Attorney serving Federal Way, WA
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Freeborn Law Offices P.S.
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You could be. Did you know the person was drunk when the borrowed your car. Did you grant any kind of permission? Were you providing the person with the alcohol? Any of these issues could make you liable. Maybe not criminally (possibly, if your state has the Dram Shop Act) but a good chance of civil liability if that person caused property damage or injury to another person as a result of driving drunk .
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:18 PM
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Unlikely, but if you know someone is drunk and you let them drive, you could be held liable for injuries and damages caused.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:05 PM
No, you have nothing to worry about.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 10:04 PM
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No. maybe your friend could sue you, but you did nothing wrong. That other person is an adult and should've known better.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 8:19 PM
You cannot be held criminally liable for someone else's illegal conduct. Allowing another licensed driver to drive your vehicle is not illegal. However, you may be put to some expense in having your vehicle removed from impound.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 8:19 PM
Criminal Defense Attorney serving Charlotte, NC
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Olsinski Injury, Family and Criminal Lawyers
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Yes, it is not too uncommon for someone who allows a drunk person to drive their car to get ticketed with aiding and abetting a DWI. You should consult an attorney about your options, each county handles these matters in their own way.
Answered on Nov 08th, 2011 at 6:51 PM