People v. Domagala

| New York County Courts | Oct 8, 1924

Noonan, J.:

From a judgment of conviction for violating section 290, subdivision 3, of the Highway Law, which reads as follows, “ Whoever operates a motor vehicle while in an intoxicated condition shall be guilty of a misdemeanor,” an appeal has been taken to this court.

About three-thirty p.m. two police officers found the respondent, in an intoxicated condition, in his automobile, which was parked directly across the street, with the front wheels squarely against the curb.

It is obvious that the judgment of conviction must stand or fall upon the construction given to the word “ operate.” Having in mind the meaning given to “ operate ” in similar cases, the following definitions are applicable in this case: “ To put in action and supervise the working of: as to operate a machine ” (29 Cyc. 1496; Standard Dict.) ; “ cause to move or perform the acts desired; as to operate a machine" (Cent. Dict.) ; “ to bring about a specified result ” (29 Cyc. 1496).

The respondent started his motor six different times, and every time, when he attempted to throw it into gear*, the motor stalled. Counsel for the respondent insists that the law was not violated until or unless the automobile was moved along the street. This claim is clearly untenable. Under any of the above definitions, the respondent began to violate the law the instant he began to manipulate the machinery of the motor for the purpose of putting the automobile into motion. The fact that the motor was not powerful enough to force the automobile over the curb without stopping is no defense.

The judgment of conviction is affirmed. Let an order be entered accordingly.

Ordered accordingly.