Among the states, laws punishing public drunkenness vary widely. Pennsylvania has fairly simple and straightforward laws governing this offense. For more information on public drunkenness, please continue reading, then contact an experienced Pittsburgh first DUI lawyer. Some questions you may have include:
How does Pennsylvania define public drunkenness?
When someone appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and appears to be a danger to themselves, others, or property, they may be charged with public drunkenness. That said, you can’t face charges for simply being under the influence while also alone and posing no danger to anyone or yourself.
Hows does Pennsylvania classify public versus private property?
So long as the general public can access a place, law enforcement will consider that place as public even if privately owned. For instance, law enforcement may have grounds for arresting a person who is staggering drunk down the street of a gated, and therefore somewhat private, neighborhood. On the flip side, those who are obviously intoxicated can’t face charges for public intoxication on private property, such as a friend’s house.
What are the penalties for public drunkenness in Pennsylvania?
For a first offense, you can face a potential $500 fine, while second and subsequent offenses can warrant a potential $1,000 fine.
How do you defend yourself against a charge of public drunkenness?
There are several potential defenses we can use to defend you against a charge of public drunkenness. One common defense is to prove that you were not intoxicated at all. In other cases, we can argue that you were lawfully prescribed the drug that caused you to appear intoxicated. We can even argue that you presented no real or potential danger to others. In many cases, a “private property” defense is also sufficient. If you would like to learn more or have any further questions, simply give us a call today.
Contact Our Pittsburgh DUI Lawyer
If you are facing a DUI charge, contact The Law Offices of George Heym to schedule your free initial consultation.
