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Facing A Public Intoxication Ticket In New Orleans? Pleading Guilty Can Have Lasting Implications. We Can Help.

Do You Need a New Orleans Public Intoxication Lawyer?

Each year, millions of visitors flock to New Orleans looking for a good time. The vibrant city is often portrayed as a carefree place where visitors can do virtually anything they want in terms of partying. To be certain, the city is quite a bit more relaxed than other places about certain activities, such as drinking on the street in the French Quarter, as long as your drink is in a plastic container. However, while it’s legal to drink on the street, it is not legal to be drunk in the streets of New Orleans, either in the French Quarter or other places in the city. Doing so can result in New Orleans public intoxication charges.

When Should I Call a New Orleans Lawyer for Public Intoxication?

If you have been arrested or have received a summons to appear in court on a public intoxication charge, it is important that you contact a New Orleans public intoxication lawyer as soon as possible so they can begin protecting your rights during the proceeding and can provide services aimed at helping you to avoid the most serious consequences of the charge.

An experienced New Orleans public intoxication lawyer can review your case and determine the services that they are able to offer you. Some of the information your lawyer will want to review includes:

  • The circumstances that led to an officer believing you had violated the law.
  • The conduct of the investigating and arresting officer(s) when dealing with your case.
  • Whether the conduct you engaged in did, or did not, result in a violation of New Orleans Municipal Code.

Depending on the facts of your case, your lawyer may move to have the case dismissed due to lack of evidence or improper procedure, may attempt to negotiate a plea deal with the prosecution to lessen the consequences you are facing with conviction or may begin preparing for litigation of your case.

Here Is What You Need to Know About Public Intoxication in New Orleans

In order to arrest and charge someone with public intoxication, police must have probable cause to believe that the individual is intoxicated enough to endanger himself or herself, others, or property. Unfortunately, this is a highly subjective determination that is primarily up to the arresting officer, and it does not necessarily have to include the administration of a breathalyzer or blood or urine test. In general, the most common time for an individual to be arrested and charged with public intoxication is during big events such as Mardi Gras or a home game for the Saints. The types of behavior that can cause an individual to be suspected of public intoxication include:

  • Causing excessive noise or using excessive foul language in the presence of others.
  • Being combative with other members of the public.
  • Blocking a public passage, such as a roadway.
  • Bloodshot eyes and other signs of impairment, such as stumbling, being unable to stand up, and having a strong odor of alcohol on the breath.

New Orleans Public Drunkenness Laws

According to New Orleans Municipal Code 54-405, “It is unlawful for any person to appear in a public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol, narcotics or other drugs, not therapeutically administered, to the degree that they may endanger themselves or other persons or property.”

Because it is not illegal to drink on the street, but only to be intoxicated on the street, a public drunkenness charge is essentially under the umbrella of disorderly conduct charges. While the charge is for drunkenness, it is really more about the behavior that was exhibited that could give rise to harm to self, others, or property.

New Orleans Public Intoxication Penalties

If an officer has reason to believe that you are publicly intoxicated in New Orleans, they have two options:

  • The officer can arrest you and take you to jail. You will then need to arrange bail and contact a defense lawyer. You will receive a court date on which you must appear and plead either guilty or not guilty to the charge.
  • The officer can decline to arrest you and, instead, provide you with a summons to court. If you fail to show up at your hearing, a warrant will be issued for your arrest.

Public intoxication is a misdemeanor charge. However, being found guilty of this crime can result in monetary fines as well as the potential for up to 90 days in city or county jail. Your charge will remain on your record and can impact your ability to obtain certain jobs, be accepted into college, or secure housing. Some possible defenses to a public intoxication charge include:

  • You were not intoxicated.
  • You weren’t in a public place.
    • If you were on the street or in a commercial or public building at the time of the suspected public drunkenness, this defense would likely not be appropriate. However, if your charge stemmed from an activity at a private residence, it could be.
  • You weren’t causing any harm.

Let an experienced New Orleans public intoxication lawyer give you answers to your legal questions and help you determine your best option after being charged with public drunkenness.

EXPERIENCED NEW ORLEANS PUBLIC INTOXICATION LAWYER

The Law Office of Heather C. Ford will give you peace of mind in your public intoxication case. She will professionally and effectively represent you on your behalf in front of any prosecutors or judges. Trust that your case will be handled with your best interests in mind.

Serving New Orleans and the surrounding area:

  • Get Expert Advice
  • Save Time
  • Reduce Costs
  • Fast & Free Consultation

We are committed to making the legal process as quick and efficient as possible for every client. If you have received public intoxication or public drunkenness charges in New Orleans, Contact our office immediately to schedule a consultation.

 

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FAQ

In the French Quarter of New Orleans, it is legal to carry (and consume) an open container of alcohol in public streets, sidewalks, parks, etc. so long as the container is not a glass container (such as a beer bottle). This is why many establishments will sell to-go drinks in plastic containers.

In order to be charged with public intoxication, a person must generally have been found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in a public place (such as a park or sidewalk), and to have caused disturbance or harm to others.

How much is a public intoxication ticket in New Orleans?
Public intoxication charges in New Orleans are considered a misdemeanor charge and can be punishable by up to 5 months in parish prison, and/or fines up to $500.

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