Legal Question in Traffic Law in Illinois

Private property ticket

My sister was pareked in the drive of our home. The door bell rang and it was a police officer. He said she did not purchase her city sticker and that she was going to be given a ticket for it. She was told that she had to buy a city sticker now and that in a month they would change and she would have to buy anther one. He also said that he was looking for my vechile and another one listed at our address. He told her he got our names from a list. She asked to see that list and he refused. My question is, is it legal for the police officer to come onto private property when he was not in pursuit or called there and issue a ticket to someones vechile when its parked in their driveway?


Asked on 4/15/01, 5:29 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Shestokas Shestokas, & Associates

Re: Private property ticket

The short answer to your question is no. Unless the officer had a warrant, was in pursuit, or observed a crime, he is an uninvited trespasser the same as any other party. He has no greater right to be on the property than any one else.

In this instance, he may have been attempting to enforce an ordinance violation. Such a violation is not a crime, but rather a civil matter.

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Answered on 6/12/01, 6:07 pm


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