Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Are Here to Help
Oddly enough, public intoxication charges in Indiana can be even more serious than an OWI charge. Due to their vague parameters, public intoxication laws require an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you navigate your charges. Our Muncie criminal law firm has extensive experience facing all intoxication-related charges, including public intoxication, DWI or DUI, and OWI. Retain the services of Brooke-Stevens PC today for an in-depth analysis of your public intoxication charges.
A Common Crime with Uncommon Parameters
Public intoxication charges are generally classified as a Class B Misdemeanor. Certain circumstances can elevate your charge to the lowest level of felony; however, those charges are precisely specific. For example, if your public intoxication endangered others near an airport, or near a funeral, your case would be prosecuted as a felony. Generally, most public intoxication charges in Indiana are misdemeanors.
Public intoxication charges can be filed if the arresting officer determines that your actions:
- Put your own life in danger
- Put the life of someone else in danger
- Harass someone else
- Generally disrupt the peace
You can go to jail for up to 180 days and pay thousands of dollars in fines for a public intoxication conviction. Public intoxication charges should nearly always be challenged, as the vague laws governing the charges continue to change. You are legally allowed to be drunk in public in Indiana, provided that you do not perform any of the previously mentioned actions. In addition, the perception of these actions is seriously subjective in many cases. Using our knowledge and experience, our criminal defense attorney can work with you to develop the best strategy of defense for your particular charges.
Contact us to arrange for a free case evaluation with our lawyers.
How We Can Help
Our Muncie criminal defense attorneys prioritize your freedoms and rights in all criminal defense cases. Sometimes, public intoxication charges can be dismissed if we are able to prove that you were not intoxicated, your actions did not reasonably endanger anyone else, your actions were not intended to harass another individual, or you were under the influence of a prescription medication.