Public Intoxication in Arlington County

Public intoxication in Arlington County, Virginia, is an offense punishable under both state and local laws. Section 18.2-388 of the Virginia Code and Section 17-7 of the Arlington County Code prohibit any person to be intoxicated in public. As is true for any criminal offense, the government must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the person charged with the crime is intoxicated in a public area. Section 4.1-100 of the Virginia Code defines “intoxicated” as “a condition in which a person has drunk enough alcoholic beverages to observably affect his manner, disposition, speech, muscular movement, general appearance or behavior.” “In public” has been defined as a place in open view or to which the public has or is permitted to have access.

If you have been charged with being drunk in public, please call the attorneys at Patel & Williams, PLLC for a free consultation.