Lyons v. City of Petersburg

We affirm the conviction by the lower court, sitting without a jury, of Joseph L. Lyons, for operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicants in violation of an ordinance of the City of Petersburg.

The ordinance involved provides that it shall be unlawful for any person to operate any automobile while under the influence of alcohol. In Gallagher v. Commonwealth, 205 Va. 666, 668-69, 139 S.E.2d 37, 39 (1964), we held that the meaning of the word “operator” was not limited to the movement of the vehicle. We noted that while the word “operate” was not defined in Code § 18.1-54,…