Can You Get a DUI on a Horse?

DUI on a horse. Is that already possible? You might be surprised to learn that DUI on a horse charges have been filed against people before, already in 2009 (contrary to popular belief, there was no such thing as DUI in the times when horse riding was the common mode of travel). Which reminds me, this isnt some kind of quirky, tricky article to try to get you to read about nothing. I wont be talking about DUI law in the 1880s. This is an examination of todays DUI laws and what riding a horse drunk might get you today.

Because I am a Seattle, Washington DUI attorney, Im going to use Seattle DUI law in my example examination of whether or not you can get a DUI on a horse. And although I cant be certain, this may be one of those scarce occasions when the law of Seattle truly applies across the board to all fifty states. Whether or not that is true, however, I must request that if you have a DUI question and you are not in Seattle, please contact a DUI lawyer in your state and discuss your problems with them. The laws from state to state can be different, so to make an informed decision, you need to know the laws of your state.

Lets set the scene for the DUI on a horse test case. It begins like any other day. You go out to your buddies to ride his horses (he lives in one of those residential developments that has the built in equestrian trails throughout the subdivision). But, before you ride, you are going to watch the Mariners game on TV. During the game, since it is a Saturday and all, you decide to drink a associate of beers. And a associate turns into ten. By the end of the game you are pretty drunk, but you saddle up the horse and ride off anyway.

About half way by the ride you are on a residential street transitioning between trails when a Seattle cop pulls up and asks you what you are doing. You tell him, and he asks you to get off the horse to probe further. Although you didnt realize it until that point, you nevertheless have all of your Mariners gear on, including the complete uniform (you are a big fan). As the Seattle cop talks to you he asks you if youve been drinking. You say yes, and then agree to take some field sobriety tests. And then you get arrested for Seattle DUI.

When you finally talk to your Seattle DUI attorney, he says he can closest get the charges dropped. But how? Lets take a look at the DUI statute to figure it out.

RCW 46.61.502 states that drunk driving is operating a means in this state while under the influence of intoxicating alcohol or drugs. Seattle DUI can be proven in three ways: (1) a breathalyzer test over .08; (2) showing signs of intoxication by alcohol or drugs; or (3) showing signs of intoxication by alcohol and drugs.

But the examination doesnt begin there, because there is an earlier step involved. The definition of means. And means, as you might imagine, encompasses many things – but they all have engines and wheels, and move because of some kind of machinery. Id spell out the definition of means, but it is too long. But, I can tell you one thing, means does not include horses.

So, there you go. It is impossible to be convicted of Seattle DUI on a horse. It doesnt work because a horse doesnt qualify as a means, and operating a means is a necessary component of the crime. This does not average, however, that you could not be charged with other crimes, or that you should ride a horse drunk. If you didnt know, it can really hurt to fall off a horse.