Top Tempe, AZ Public Intoxication Lawyers Near You
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1820 E Ray Road, Suite A201 D, Chandler, AZ 85225
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Ciccarelli Law Offices has experience helping clients with their Public Intoxication needs in Tempe, Arizona.
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3260 N. Hayden Rd., Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
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The Law Office of Vincent Mattioli, PLC has experience helping clients with their Public Intoxication needs in Tempe, Arizona.
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4015 S McClintock Dr, Suite 101, Tempe, AZ 85282
In Tempe, Arizona, Law Offices of Craig W. Penrod, P.C., a local practice, helps clients with their Public Intoxication problem.
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40 N Central Ave, Suite 2300, Phoenix, AZ 85004
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Those confronted with Public Intoxication issues can connect with DM Cantor. This practice offers legal help to clients in the Tempe, Arizona area.
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2601 North 3rd Street, Suite 301, Phoenix, AZ 85004
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If you need Public Intoxication help in Arizona, contact The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC, a local practice in Tempe, for legal representation.
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8585 East Hartford Drive, Suite 700, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
2025 N. 3rd Street, Suite 157, Phoenix, AZ 85004
4201 N 24th St, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85016
One East Washington Street, Suite 2400, Phoenix, AZ 85004
1747 E. Morten Ave., Suite 205, Phoenix, AZ 85020
17505 N. 79th Avenue, Suite 315, Glendale, AZ 85308
3185 S. Price Rd., Chandler, AZ 85248
4455 E Camelback Rd, Suite C250, Phoenix, AZ 85018
8700 E Via de Ventura, Suite 210, Scottsdale, AZ 85258
1641 E Osborn Rd, Ste 8, Phoenix, AZ 85016
2150 E Highland Ave, Suite 212, Phoenix, AZ 85016
1641 Osborn Rd, Suite 8A, Phoenix, AZ 85016
3850 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 111, Mesa, AZ 85206
4144 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018
1421 East Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85014
4500 S Lakeshore Dr, Suite 352, Tempe, AZ 85282
2231 E Camelback Rd, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85016
2415 E. Camelback Road, Suite 500, Phoenix, AZ 85016
111 W Monroe Avenue, Suite 1400, Phoenix, AZ 85003
714 N. 3rd St., Suite 4, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Tempe Public Intoxication Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Public Intoxication attorneys in Tempe and checks their standing with Arizona bar associations.
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What Is Considered Public Intoxication?
Charges of public intoxication are generally the result of being obviously drunk on alcohol or under the influence of other drugs while in a public setting, be it on the sidewalk, at the park or elsewhere.
Due to the connection between drugs and alcohol and addiction, public intoxication itself is not always considered to be a criminal offense worthy of charges, but rather an indication that an individual should be diverted toward addiction services or some other form of support group (a medical approach versus a punitive approach).
Public Intoxication Charges
Public intoxication charges can occur when a person is visibly drunk or under the influence of drugs in public. The specific definition and punishments of public intoxication may vary by state. Depending on the specifics of your case an attorney can explain the charges to you and discuss the various possible defenses to your case.
Disorderly Conduct vs. Public Intoxication
While public intoxication charges and disorderly conduct charges often appear at the same time, depending on the circumstances of the alleged offense, the two charges are quite different.
Disorderly conduct charges involve an offender who may have been:
- fighting or causing any form of tumultuous and undesirable public conduct
- shouting or yelling loudly to disturb the common peace and not stopping after being asked disrupting a lawful assembly of individuals
- otherwise acting improperly to an aggravating or reckless degree
Public intoxication, meanwhile, does not always involve outwardly offensive behavior other than the act of being severely intoxicated. For example, if you are passed out on a park bench after a night of drinking, you could potentially be cited for public intoxication. However, if you are arrested after starting a verbal argument with a fellow bar patron and making a scene, you could face both charges depending on the jurisdiction
Have You Been Charged With Public Intoxication?
Public intoxication charges are no laughing matter. Though the charge is usually a misdemeanor, you will want to hire an attorney. A skilled public intoxication attorney can help defend you against these charges.
How Serious is a Public Intoxication Charge?
There is no charge related to public intoxication at the federal level but state laws vary greatly in how it’s treated.
Some states do not consider public intoxication a crime while others prohibit the criminalization of being drunk in public in terms of municipal laws as well. In these states and others like them, if you are found severely intoxicated in public, you are instead taken to a treatment facility. However, some states do consider public intoxication to be a viable category of criminal behavior.
In any state where a public intoxication charge is considered a criminal offense, a conviction can mean a permanent criminal record, making it a serious charge. In most states, the only responses available to remediate a past criminal conviction are expungement, expunction, sealing of the record and in some cases, a full pardon.
Is Public Intoxication a Felony or a Misdemeanor?
In almost all cases, a charge of public intoxication is classified as a misdemeanor. That being said, public intoxication is commonly an “add-on” offense in situations involving assault, battery, rape, sexual assault and other, more serious crimes when drugs or alcohol are involved to a material degree (in jurisdictions allowing for the charge).
Public intoxication is typically classified as either a Class B or Class C misdemeanor.
How Much is the Fine for Public Intoxication in Arizona?
The fine attached to each charge of public intoxication varies from state to state, but generally ranges from $250 to $1,000.
Can You Fight a Public Intoxication Charge?
It is possible to fight a public intoxication charge. As with all criminal charges, it is strongly recommended that you secure adequate legal counsel before proceeding to trial — if a trial is necessary.
Not only can a skilled criminal defense attorney outline the options available to you, but attorney-client privilege protects the discussions you have with your lawyer, giving you the opportunity to divulge all material facts and evidence in support of developing a strategy for your defense.
A criminal record is certainly an undesirable outcome for those facing charges related to public drunkenness or public intoxication, therefore, if you are accused of such offenses you should engage a defense attorney’s services immediately.
Depending on how severe the circumstances surrounding the proceedings of your individual case are, a skilled attorney may be able to negotiate a diversion program, addictions counseling or other, less criminally onerous solutions from a judge (or even the prosecution before taking the case to trial).