Charged with Public Intoxication/Drunkenness in Pennsylvania?

Many people come to Western Pennsylvania and more particularly, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to enjoy the casinos, take in a baseball game, tailgate at football games, cheer at a college basketball game, tour the cultural district, shop in the strip district, party on the South Side, dine on Mt. Washington and essentially enjoy the Downtown Pittsburgh area.

However, when people fail to enjoy themselves responsibly, consequences can and will occur, specifically, a citation for public drunkenness, which is often referred to as public intoxication.

What is Public Drunkenness - Public Intoxication?

In Pennsylvania, a person is guilty of Public Drunkenness if he appears in any public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol to the degree that he may endanger himself or other persons or property, or annoy persons in his vicinity. Public drunkenness is a summary offense punishable by substantial fines and potential jail time.

Can a conviction for Public Intoxication - Public Drunkenness Hurt Me?

Absolutely. Consider this: If you were applying to medical, law or business school or interviewing for a top sales job, do you think the reviewer/employer would hesitate before granting your application or offering you employment if you had a conviction for public intoxication-public drunkenness?

More than anything, a conviction for public intoxication is a perception crime. Although public intoxication is graded as a summary offense, the lowest in the criminal code, a conviction of this offense gives the perception that you don't know when to say when, which is a bad sign.  

Why You Need an Attorney to Fight a Charge of Public Intoxication - Public Drunkenness

Not all charges of public intoxication will lead to a conviction. Just because the charge is a summary offense does not mean that you must plead guilty. Once you plead guilty, you will have a record. You will probably be banned from the location where you received the citation.

In certain circumstances you can have the conviction expunged, but if you are not in a position to have the charge expunged, you now have a summary offense on your record that could have and should have been resolved without a conviction, if you would have had an attorney fully advise you of your rights and defenses to the charge of public intoxication.

Contact Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker for your Public Intoxication Charges

Attorney Walker has handled numerous cases where clients have been charged with public intoxication - public drunkenness. Attorney Walker has the reputation of vigorously fighting these charges and getting  results for his clients.

Let Attorney Walker fight for you. Contact Attorney Walker at 412.532.6805 to schedule a consultation to review your charges and the evidence against you.