Appeals court rules no DUI for man driving in driveway

NORTHVILLE (AP) — Drunken driving is illegal. But maybe not in your driveway.

The Michigan Court of Appeals says a judge was correct in dismissing a charge against a Northville man, who was arrested after backing his Cadillac out of the garage and then driving back into the garage.

Police were responding to complaints about loud music.

In a 2-1 recent decision, the appeals court said the man was not driving in an area that’s “generally accessible” to other vehicles.

The court noted that the man was in his backyard, and his driveway wasn’t open to other cars. In dissent, Judge Kathleen Jansen says she would have reinstated the charge.