Beverly Hills Drunk in Public Lawyers

Drinking Alcohol in Public Explained

Drunk in public, also referred to as public intoxication, is crime that is committed when people are intoxicated in public and are endangering themselves and others.  Many people are under the impression that if a person is drunk while in public, he or she can be charged with public intoxication.  However, in order to be charged with this criminal offense, people must be placing themselves sin danger or endangering the individuals around them before police will intervene.

In the state of California, drunk in public laws are very similar to many other states.  The laws dictate that it is “illegal to be in any public place under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs in such a condition that a person endangers his or her own safety or the safety of others.”  For example, if a person is intoxicated at a bar and he or she chooses to start a fight with another person, the person could be charged with public intoxication.

Drunk in public is usually categorized as an infraction or a misdemeanor, unless the offender causes another person extensive bodily harm.  When people are convicted of public intoxication, they may be sentenced with fines, community service, probation and drug and alcohol treatment.  Additionally, the conviction will appear on peoples’ criminal records, which can cause lasting damage.

Serious Crimes Demand Serious Defense

If you have been charged with drunk in public in Beverly Hills, you should get a criminal defense attorney involved immediately.  In some cases, skilled defense lawyers may be able to negotiate with prosecutors to get their clients’ public intoxication charges reduced or even dismissed, which will allow people o avoid harsh legal penalties.

Experienced Beverly Hills Drunk in Public Attorneys

Okabe & Haushalter is a respected law firm with a long-standing history of success when it comes to defending clients who have been charged with drunk in public in Beverly Hills.  Contact the Beverly Hills criminal defense lawyers at Okabe & Haushalter today!