How Can Wallin & Klarich Help Me If I Face Drunk In Public Charges? – PC 647(f)

Enjoying your favorite alcoholic refreshment in a public place can easily lead to facing drunk in public charges. These charges carry with them a harsh punishment. However, simply being very drunk in a public area is not enough to justify a drunk in public conviction. Your drunken state must endanger you or others or interfere with the use of a public path.
If you face drunk in public charges, it is important for you to secure an aggressive criminal defense law firm to fight for your rights.

Prosecution of Public Drunkenness

To convict you of the crime of drunk in public, the prosecutor must prove the following three elements:

• You were willfully under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a controlled substance

• You were in a public place or a place open to the public while you were under the influence; AND

• You either:

• • Were unable to exercise care for your own safety or the safety of others; OR
  • Interfered with, obstructed, or prevented the free use of a street, sidewalk, or other public path

Punishment for Drunk in Public Charges

Under PC 647(f), a drunk in public conviction is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to 6 months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both fine and imprisonment. The judge may sentence you to probation instead of imprisonment.

However, even if you are granted probation, a drunk in public conviction will still appear on your permanent criminal record. This record is available to prospective employers and licensing agencies, which may hurt your chances of getting a job or professional license in the future.

Your punishment will be harsher if you are convicted for the third time of being drunk in public within a 12-month period. In that case, you face a minimum of 90 days in county jail.

California Criminal Defense Attorney

The law firm of Wallin & Klarich has been successfully defending our clients who have been accused of being drunk in public for over 40 years. Our experience makes us very familiar with the offense of drunk in public. Because of our knowledge of the law, we have been able to help our clients get their drunk in public charges reduced or dismissed in many cases.

From the first day you retain us, we will immediately begin our aggressive and effective defense work. We begin by gathering all of the facts and circumstances surrounding your case. Our goal is to obtain the most powerful evidence for your defense. After extensive discovery, we will negotiate with the prosecutor to attempt to convince him or her to drop or reduce your drunk in public charges.

If you are accused of being drunk in public, there may be much more at stake than you think. With the help of Wallin & Klarich, we can help you stay out of jail and avoid other harsh penalties. Our offices are located in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina, Victorville, Torrance, and Sherman Oaks. Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245. We will be there when you call.