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Public intoxication: The right defense strategy for you

On Behalf of | Sep 25, 2017 | Criminal Defense |

Many people enjoy consuming alcohol as a means of having a good time. Unfortunately, there are situations in which this leads to more harm than good.

It’s easy to believe that driving under the influence of alcohol is the most serious and only alcohol-related crime, but there are many others that you should be aware of.

Public intoxication fits this mold. There are two elements of this crime:

  • You appear to be drunk
  • You are in a public place, such as a restaurant, bar or fair

This may not be the most serious crime, but it can have a negative impact on your life. For example, an educator or coach may lose his or her job as the result of a conviction.

Fortunately, there are many defense strategies to employ in the event of a public intoxication charge:

  • You were not drunk. This is as simple as claiming that you were not drunk at the time of the arrest, but instead acting in a loud manner as a result of your excitement.
  • You were cited with this crime in a private place. Public intoxication can only come into play if you are actually in public. In the event that a police officer requests that you move to a public location, just so he or she can cite you with this crime, you may be able to use this to your advantage in court.

While you are not likely to end up in jail as the result of a public intoxication charge, it can still have serious consequences. For example, you could face a heavy fine and/or community service. This goes along with the damage it can cause to your career and reputation.

Any public intoxication charge should lead you to learn more about the right defense strategy. This can help you avoid a conviction that will have a negative impact on your life. Your goal is to prove that you didn’t break the law, so that you can put this in the past once and for all.

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