In the state of Ohio, drunk and disorderly conduct can have legal repercussions that include fines and jail time. Public intoxication falls under the state's drunk and disorderly statute during particular instances, and the help of a qualified criminal attorney will be valuable when you find yourself in this situation. Here's what you should know about the laws surrounding public intoxication.

What Is Public Intoxication & How Can You Get Charged?

In Ohio, no state law specifically addresses the issue of public intoxication. It is typically prosecuted under disorderly conduct laws when the drunk individual's behavior endangers themself or other people and their property. Actions of an intoxicated person that offend, annoy, scare, or inconvenience others in the presence of two or more people are also considered disorderly conduct. Keep in mind that public intoxication is based more on your behavior than the amount of alcohol in your system. 

Law enforcement officials will assess whether you should be arrested for drunkenness in public. If the police decide that you are visibly impaired and are scaring, harassing, or annoying others or risking people's safety, they will charge you with drunk and disorderly conduct. Some instances that may lead to disorderly conduct convictions include inebriated students swimming at dark on a closed beach, or drunk diners being aggressive to other customers.

Falling asleep in your parked car after binge drinking doesn't qualify as drunk and disorderly behavior. However, if you're caught driving a vehicle while intoxicated, you will likely need a DUI lawyer's guidance while facing those severe charges. 

Why Should You Hire a Criminal Attorney?

Public intoxication that falls under disorderly conduct carries fines of $150-$250 and jail time of up to 30 days. To fight your charges, an experienced criminal attorney can argue that your blood alcohol content (BAC) didn't make you drunk enough to be penalized, or that you were not in the presence of two or more individuals. They can also assert that your actions were a result of self-defense, free speech, or were misinterpreted by the complainant. Nevertheless, it can be challenging to fight charges on your own since drunk and disorderly laws are open to interpretation. A criminal attorney will be able to provide the right legal strategy that will help your case and know specific instances where public intoxication wouldn't apply.

Don't let a public intoxication incident impact your future. Contact Michael A. Newland Esquire in Hamilton, OH, to get help from a skilled criminal attorney who will work hard to defend you in court. Michael A. Newland Esquire is an experienced traffic and DUI lawyer who has won numerous cases on behalf of his clients in and around Butler County. He is also a seasoned family law attorney who can help  and advise you on how to make a will. Call his office today at (513) 887-9595 or fill out the online intake form to schedule your initial consultation.