If I got a public intoxication ticket, what should I expect to happen?
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If I got a public intoxication ticket, what should I expect to happen?
I got a public intoxication ticket while I was walking with a cut on my hand. They ended up getting me gauze on my hand and a taxi home. This is my first criminal charge.
Asked on March 1, 2011 under Criminal Law, Utah
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
If your charged with the crime of public intoxication, a conviction can not only carry a jail sentence of up to 90 days in your state but it can also impact your driver's license. It appears you were given a ticket and not arrested per se. The statute under public intoxication really focuses on not only the safety of others in your path but also your safety, whether that means to transport you for medical attention or place in you in a detoxification unit until you sober up. It appears the police did what they felt was appropriate to your situation, get your hand bandaged and place you in a taxi to be driven safely home. This could be used to your benefit (depending on the consultation you may wish to have with legal counsel) to show your level of intoxication was not so dangerous as to require detention in a detoxification unit or formal arrest.
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