Can You Really Go To Jail For Sleeping in Boise?

You know how it goes - you're at a holiday party and you've had one too many drinks. Blame it on the spirit of the holiday season, blame it on the extra drink coupons that you got from the boss's wife who doesn't drink anymore. Whatever the case is - you've had too much to drink and unfortunately, you didn't plan ahead. You didn't ride to the party with anyone, you for some reason forgot about the incredible technology that is Uber and/or Lyft.

You just messed up (and are messed up), and you need somewhere to sleep. What do you do?

So, can I just sleep in the car after a night of drinking?

No, you can't... well, yes you can. Sorta. It's complicated. While the law is pretty black and white in itself, the places you can park your car and sleep are somewhat limited.

Idaho law states that you cannot sleep in a parked vehicle after business hours on private property. So, if you're thinking of sleeping off a long night of drinking in the parking lot of the bar you're at for the holiday party or the neighborhood where the night's events took place, think again.

On the other hand, let's say you're having a holiday party at a restaurant. I'll never forget, one time I had a roommate who worked in a warehouse setting. His boss was given a certain budget to take everyone out for their holiday party. This manager decided to take my roommate and his coworkers to a Golden Corral.

He straight-up took him and the workforce to the ultimate all-in-one experience with the GULL-DIN... CORE-ALL, baby. I'm not going to lie, I've made some great memories at the Golden Corral back in the day. Now, I don't recall them serving alcohol, but let's say you got a bit too sauced at the Golden Corral for the company Christmas party. And then let's say there's a Wal-Mart across the way... that's where you park.

Why?

Because Wally World is 24/7 and because your car would be parked in a lot where the business operates 24/7, you're good to go. I never could understand why Golden Corral was always across the street from a Wal-Mart but that's a whole conversation for another time.

Learn where you can and can't sleep in your car in Idaho...

Don't catch a case this holiday season and learn where you can park the vehicle for a nap; it could keep you out of jail! Let's look into the places where your vehicle can (and can't) double as your bed for the evening.