Blackwelder Law, LLC

Free Initial Consultation: 910-489-2178

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Charges
    • Traffic Violations
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Payments
  • Contact
Blackwelder Law, LLC
Call Today
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Practice Areas
    • Criminal Charges
    • Traffic Violations
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Payments
  • Contact

Criminal And Traffic Law In Greenville And Statewide

When You Need A Champion, We’re Here For You

When you can be charged with public intoxication in South Carolina

On Behalf of Blackwelder Law, LLC | Aug 20, 2021 | Criminal Defense

One thing everyone knows about South Carolinians is that we love our alcohol. But the last thing you want is to find yourself with a public intoxication charge after a night of drinking with your friends. That’s why it’s important to know what the law says about public intoxication, so that you can stay on the good side of the law and avoid some potentially costly penalties.

What the law says

The police won’t arrest you merely for being drunk while in public. It takes more than that to qualify as an offense that can justify an arrest.

South Carolina’s public intoxication statute penalizes certain disruptive actions taken while you are also intoxicated in public. These prohibited actions include:

  • Acting in a disorderly or boisterous manner
  • Using profane language within earshot of others
  • Firing a gun off of your property and close to a public highway

The penalty for a conviction of public intoxication varies, depending on the specific circumstances. The maximum penalty you might face is a $100 fine or 30 days in jail.

Defenses to a public intoxication charge

If you find yourself with a public intoxication charge, do not worry – a charge is not the same thing as a conviction. You will still have the opportunity to hire an attorney and prepare a defense to present against the charges, in an attempt to get them dropped or reduced.

One common defense against public intoxication is that the place where the police arrested you was not public. Since the elements of the crime require a public place, they cannot charge you if you were intoxicated in a private location.

Your attorney might also argue that the action that led to your arrest does not objectively qualify as boisterous or disorderly conduct, or that you were not really intoxicated at the time.

A misdemeanor charge can ruin anyone’s night out. But by being proactive and hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney in a prompt manner, you can get a jump on preparing your defense and getting ready to fight for your rights.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Recent Posts

  • Assault charges: When can you claim self-defense?
  • What everyone needs to know about the plain view doctrine
  • The potential penalties for cocaine charges in South Carolina
  • Should you accept a plea deal?
  • Avoid these prescription medication mistakes to stay out of jail

Archives

  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016

Categories

  • Criminal Defense
  • Drug Crimes
  • Firm News
  • Traffic Violations
  • Violent Crimes

RSS Feed

Subscribe To This Blog’s Feed

FindLaw Network

How To Reach Us

Blackwelder Law, LLC

Greenville Office

3453 Pelham Road
Suite 205
Greenville, SC 29615
Greenville Law Office Location

Phone

910-489-2178

Fax

864-428-1294

Social Media

  • Follow
Review Us

Let’s Get Started Protecting Your Future

© 2023 Blackwelder Law, LLC • All Rights Reserved

Disclaimer | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Business Development Solutions by FindLaw, part of Thomson Reuters