Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

sleeping in van

I would like to know what the specific law is regarding sleeping in a vehicle. I have a conversion van, and was at the park the other day playing with my dog. it started to rain, so my dog and I got in my van to wait for the rain to pass. It was like 9am on a monday. a few minutes later 2 officers came up and started harrassing me stating it was against the law to sleep in your vehicle. well 1. my windows have curtains and there was no way the oficers could have seen me back there, 2. why would chevy make a van with a confortable bed and space for tv and stuff if its against the law to relax in the back. When I asked the officer for the specific ordinance he said he would be right back, he had to look it up. he came back a few min later with no info, just told me ''I could give you a ticket.'' i said ''your giving me a ticket'' he said ''no, but I could''.

this sounds like a load of bs to me. my van is a nice van, not an eyesore, i am a young lady with a choc lab, who just wants to be able to go to the park,and now the officer has said that if they see me at the park inside the van, to expect to be contacted. why? I am not breaking any laws,


Asked on 5/16/06, 9:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: sleeping in van

While some localities may have ordinances that purport to limit sleeping in vehicles, I do not believe you are breaking the law. If you live in SoCal maybe I would come to the park with you and observe what happens.

Read more
Answered on 5/25/06, 7:12 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Traffic Law questions and answers in California