Public intoxication, also called being drunk in public, is the condition of being intoxicated while in public. The person may have an elevated blood alcohol level (BAC), which may be due to drinking alcohol or an illegal drug such as marijuana or cocaine.
Public intoxication is classified as a misdemeanor in all 50 states. The severity of the punishment depends on many factors, including whether the offender was driving at the time of their offense, whether they were intoxicated or not, and whether any injuries or property damage were caused during the act.
What to Do After Arrest?
If you have been charged with public intoxication, contact an experienced public intoxication lawyer from Trey Porter Law Firm immediately. The lawyer can help you avoid making costly mistakes by working hard to get the charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
Here is how you can benefit if you hire a public intoxication lawyer!
Help Avoid a Jail Term
In most cases, a public intoxication lawyer can help avoid jail for a client. A case that would have otherwise been charged as a misdemeanor could be reduced to a simple violation. This is because the prosecutor has other options, such as rehab or community service, which are more effective than jail time.
Reduce Fines
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A public intoxication lawyer can reduce fines for their client. The fine for public intoxication in some states is $250 and up to 90 days in jail or more. However, if you have an attorney on your side and plead guilty to a lesser charge of public intoxication, then your punishment will be much less harsh.
In addition, you will have saved yourself from having a criminal record and possibly being rejected by colleges or employers who may know your criminal record.
Avoiding Alcohol-Related Charges
If you have been charged with public intoxication and have been convicted of drinking in public, this can be used against you in other cases where alcohol is involved, such as driving under the influence (DUI).
If a judge sees you have been arrested for public intoxication and convicted of drinking in public, they may impose harsher sentences on other alcohol-related offenses such as DUI or drunk driving.
Bail Reduction
The key benefit of a public intoxication lawyer is bail reduction. Bail is the amount the defendant can pay to get out of jail while waiting for their trial. Public intoxication lawyers have experience and knowledge in this area and can help you to reduce your bail amount by as much as 50%.
Reduced Sentencing
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You may face significant fines, jail time, and other penalties if convicted of public intoxication. A public intoxication lawyer can help you with this process so that you will have less of a sentence when you go to court than if you had not hired an attorney.
Less Severe Charges
If convicted of public intoxication, other charges are often filed against you as well. Public intoxication lawyers know how to handle these types of cases so that they do not result in additional charges or penalties for their clients.
Below are tips for choosing a public intoxication lawyer!
1. Knowledge of Public Intoxication Laws
The other factor you should consider when hiring a public intoxication lawyer is their knowledge of the laws surrounding this crime. If your lawyer does not understand these laws, they will prove whether or not you were guilty of any crime.
2. Communication Skills
Communication skills are also crucial when it comes to finding a good public intoxication lawyer. An experienced lawyer can communicate with you quickly and effectively, so they can help you make decisions about how best to proceed with your case.
3. Legal Experience
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A good public intoxication lawyer should have experience working within the legal system, so they will know exactly what steps should be taken during trial proceedings to win your case against the police department or other government agency involved in the prosecution.
4. Good Communicators
When it comes to public intoxication, attorneys should have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with their clients. They should not just be able to explain the legal process and outcomes of cases but also be able to connect with the people they represent.
Attorneys who are good communicators can help clients avoid problems by being honest about the severity of their situation. They can also answer questions that clients may have about their case and make sure they know what to do next.
5. Informed
If you are charged with public intoxication, it’s critical that you find an attorney that can provide you with information on the possible consequences of a conviction.
This includes the potential impact on your driving record, whether or not you can get a job, whether or not you can continue to live in the community where charges were filed, and how long it could take to resolve your case in court.
6. Honest about their fees
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A public intoxication lawyer should be upfront with you about their fees so that there is no confusion or misunderstanding about how much this case will cost you in time and money. They should also explain why they charge what they charge for services rendered which will help put your mind at ease.
7. Trustworthy
When looking for an attorney, they must have a good reputation and have been in business for a long time. A good lawyer should be able to tell whether or not you are honest by just talking with you on the phone or hearing your story in person.
A good attorney will also want to hear from other people who have been through similar situations to better understand how things went down and what went right and wrong during the process of hiring them as an attorney.
Key Takeaway
If you are arrested for public intoxication, you may face jail time and hefty fines. But if your case is handled correctly, the charges against you may be reduced or dismissed altogether. If you have been charged with public intoxication, it is important to hire an attorney immediately.
A public intoxication lawyer can help you avoid unnecessary charges and get the best outcome possible in your case.
