Excessive drinking can lead to many consequences, including: DUI citations, jail time, and bodily harm. One offense that often gets overlooked, however, is being charged with* public intoxication.* Depending on the state in which you live in, you may be cited for public intoxication or drunk and disorderly conduct. Please read further to educate yourself on the factors that determine whether or not you can be cited for public intoxication.
The Factors of Public Intoxication
As with any alcohol-related crime, there can be different factors involved with the charge of public intoxication.
- You appear to be drunk or intoxicated in public
- You present a threat to yourself or to the safety of others
- You are unable to take proper care of yourself
It is important to remember that if you are intoxicated in public, you can be legally charged with an offense whether you are behind the wheel of a motor vehicle or not. Public drunkenness is considered disorderly conduct and you can be arrested for such behavior.
You Might be Intoxicated If . . .
There are different actions that can lead local police to questioning you regarding your toxicity levels. Behavior that frequently leads to a public intoxication charge includes:
- Appearing drunk after walking out of a bar or restaurant
- Acting out-of-control or overly obnoxious
- Swearing loudly or being loud in general
- Creating a scene amongst others
Public Intoxication Punishments
Being cited for public intoxication carries different levels of punishment. Again, where you're charged for the infraction will impact how you are reprimanded for your actions. Common consequences for being drunk and disorderly include:
- Being Fined
- Serving Jail Time
- Probation
- Community Service
Important Note: how many times you've been arrested and charged for public intoxication will affect the course of punishment.
Legal Assistance
If you find yourself being charged for public intoxication, it may be prudent to seek the assistance of a professional lawyer. Depending on your specific citation, your attorney could argue any of the following:
- You weren't truly intoxicated at the time of the arrest
- You weren't essentially causing harm to yourself or anyone else
- You weren't in a public place at the time of the arrest
Please Remember: Whether you've been charged with public intoxication or not, if you feel you have a drinking problem, then it's important to seek immediate help.
