Public Intoxication Charges

There is no exact restriction on the amount of alcohol that adults can consume as long as they do not drink and drive with a blood alcohol content, or BAC, over the legal limit. However, law enforcement officials are permitted to charge individuals with other alcohol-related crimes if they are intoxicated enough to pose a danger to themselves or others. One such charge is called public intoxication, or PI.

While the consumption of alcohol can lead to unsafe decisions, a PI charge is subjective rather than objective. This means that law enforcement officials can decide to charge you with public intoxication based on their own judgment. If you have been charged with PI, please contact a knowledgeable Houston public intoxication attorney from Johnson, Johnson & Baer, P.C., today at 713-222-0400 for a free case evaluation.

What Counts as Public Intoxication?

Alcohol affects the brain in a way that can lead to decreased coordination, loss of balance, and increased risk of making irrational decisions. In some cases, this can make you a danger to yourself. Public intoxication is defined as appearing in a public place while inebriated to the point of being a danger to yourself or others around you. In general, this offense is a class C misdemeanor.

Public Intoxication for Minors

Minors can also be charged with PI. This can lead to a suspended driver’s license for those who have their license, or a delay in receiving the license if they are not yet a driver. Multiple PI offenses can increase the time of the license suspension.

Contact Us

Even though public intoxication is considered a relatively minor crime, it can still deter you from meeting your goals for the future. If you have been charged with PI, contact a tenacious Houston public intoxication lawyer from Johnson, Johnson & Baer, P.C., at 713-222-0400 today to discuss the facts of your case.