Public Intoxication Lawyer in Montgomery County
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Public Drunkenness (18 P.S. § 5505)
The Pennsylvania statute makes it an offense for a person to appear in any public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance to the degree that the person may endanger himself/herself or other persons or property or annoy persons in the vicinity. Controlled substances include narcotics and other drugs as defined in the Pennsylvania Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. This offense is often coupled with other alcohol related charges including underage drinking or disorderly conduct.
Grading
Public drunkenness is a summary offense.
Penalties
A person who is convicted of public drunkenness be sentenced up to 90 days in jail and a fine of not more than $500.00 for the first violation and not more than $1,000.00 for the second and each subsequent violation.
Defense Strategies
Our criminal lawyers will review the facts and circumstances surrounding the incident. The public drunkenness law requires the incident to occur in a public place. When the incident occurs in a place that is not considered a public place under the law, the Commonwealth will not get a conviction. Also, the Commonwealth must not only prove “drunkenness”, but the Commonwealth must prove the element of “endanger” or “annoyance”. As such, merely staggering a bit outside of a club or bar without testimony from the officer that the person was a danger to himself or others or that the person was an annoyance, would not lead to a conviction.
Public Drunkenness Lawyer – The Martin Law Firm, P.C.
Our representation includes preparing for and appearing at your summary trial and either trying the case or working out an alternative resolution with the cooperation of the arresting officer and the Judge assigned to your case. Our first priority is to get your charges dismissed since more than 80% of employers now run criminal background checks. A conviction for public drunkenness may appear on your criminal record, which can hurt your chances of a promotion or being hired.
Hiring a lawyer who advocates for you will show the officer and the Judge that you are taking this matter seriously and it will increase your chances of a successful outcome. Our lawyers believe that one isolated incident of failure to enjoy yourself responsibly should not bar you from education and professional opportunities for years to come. Contact The Martin Law Firm, P.C. today at (215) 646-3980.
The Martin Law Firm, P.C. also offers legal representation to those who are charged with other crimes and offenses.
Other Crimes and Offenses
Contact a Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you have received a citation or charges for any of the above, you should consult with an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away. The criminal process has strict time limitations for scheduling and appearing for hearings as well as entering a plea. A criminal defense lawyer can assist you with preparing a proper defense and resolving your case. Contact us at (215) 646-3980.
Please call (215) 646-3980 to schedule an appointment.
Practice Areas
Our legal team provides individualized legal solutions for our clients by offering high quality legal counsel and representation in diverse areas of law. Our attorneys regularly represent clients throughout Southeast Pennsylvania, including Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Philadelphia County.
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