Going out with friends may be something you look forward to every weekend or something that only happens a few times a month. No matter how often, you enjoy getting together, catching up and having a few drinks. Though you never intend to go overboard with your alcohol consumption, it is possible to have a few too many when the good times are rolling.
Of course, a few too many can quickly land you and others in serious predicaments. Even if you do not get behind the wheel of a car after drinking, the chance still exists that your alcohol consumption could land you in trouble with the law, especially if someone accuses you of public intoxication.
Why is public intoxication a problem?
Though many people consume alcohol in public without an issue, public intoxication becomes a problem when a person begins to make other people feel uncomfortable or unsafe. For some individuals, too many alcoholic beverages can result in their being unable to fully control their actions or may even cause them to act in ways that they normally would not, such as bringing out their angry side. As a result, others may worry that the intoxicated person will harm another person, him or herself, or otherwise cause a problem.
You may consider your behavior a little rambunctious, but you may not have believed that you were disturbing others or causing them to worry about their well-being. Still, someone may have called the police if you seemed out of control.
When is a criminal charge applicable?
In most cases of public intoxication, the person’s behavior will play a significant role in whether criminal charges apply. If you did have a few drinks but were still in control, a public intoxication charge may not suit your circumstances. Additionally, authorities will need to determine whether you were in a public place at the time of the incident, which means that if you were on your own property or the private property of a friend, public intoxication is likely not applicable.
If you do end up facing a charge for public intoxication, it is important that you understand the details of the law in Indiana and what criminal defense options you may have. Fortunately, you may have multiple options available to you, and going over these options with an attorney may be in your best interests.