Defending Public Intoxication Charges 

Have you been accused of being intoxicated in public? Contact an Arlington public drunkenness attorney who can help you beat your charges and avoid harsh penalties.

Many people go out in public and have a few drinks—after all, restaurants and bars are there for a reason. Drinking alcohol in public isn’t a crime. Public drunkenness is a crime, though. It’s essentially the act of drinking alcohol to such a point that you’ve become a danger to yourself or others.

What constitutes dangerous behavior from an intoxicated person? Well, that is subjective, and it’s where your Arlington public intoxication lawyer from the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy comes in. Your attorney will defend you against such an arbitrary charge before it has a chance to wreak havoc on your life.

Penalties for Public Drunkenness in Arlington, Texas

The legal and non-legal consequences for a public intoxication conviction in Arlington are detailed below:

• Class C misdemeanor
• $500 fine
• Possible probation
• Possible mandatory alcohol classes
• Difficulty securing employment
• Family embarrassment
• Financial strain

For such a minor offense, these penalties may seem harsh, but that’s the reality. Fortunately, our firm can minimize the punishments you may face.

Defenses Against Public Intoxication Charges

The crime of public drunkenness is pretty subjective. What may seem like a little lively fun to one person may seem like dangerous behavior to someone else. Even if you’re arrested on the spot for public intoxication, that doesn’t mean you’re guilty of the crime. Even if you were drinking at the time, that doesn’t mean you’re guilty.

If every person who has ever behaved in a tipsy manner were arrested for public drunkenness, the jails would be overflowing. The police must be able to prove that you really were a risk to yourself or others—not an easy thing to prove.

Below are a few of the defenses your Arlington public drunkenness attorney could use to defend you:

• You weren’t drinking at all.
• You were under the influence of a prescription medication with a valid prescription, and you didn’t know how the medication would affect you.
• You weren’t a danger to yourself or others.
• You weren’t in a public place.
• The police made procedural errors.
• The police were biased against you.
• Your rights were violated.

Get in Touch with an Arlington Public Drunkenness Attorney

You may not think a public intoxication charge is that big of a deal, but it can be. Once a crime goes on your record, it’s there to stay. Even misdemeanor offenses can have a lasting impact on your life, your employment, your financial situation, and your family life. Don’t take the chance of an alcohol-related conviction ending up on your record.

Call an Arlington public intoxication lawyer to discuss your case. We offer free case reviews, so you have nothing to lose by calling us. At the Law Offices of Jeff C. Kennedy, our team will formulate a rock-solid defense for you. Fill out the contact form at the bottom of this page or dial 817-605-1010 to get in touch.