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Nashville Public Intoxication Lawyer

As if being drunk in public isn’t embarrassing enough, when you’re arrested for public intoxication, your life can take a turn for the worse if you don’t work with a public intoxication lawyer in Nashville to attempt to avoid a conviction.

It is no secret that people like to drink alcohol in Nashville, and usually they have a good time without incident.

However, if you become intoxicated and police believe you might be a danger to yourself or others, it’s quite possible that you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor and taken to jail.

If this has happened to you, you can get the legal representation you need by reaching out to a Nashville public intoxication lawyer at Raybin & Weissman, P.C. Our firm will work with you to build a defensive strategy that can help you clear your name ,  or our public intoxication defense attorneys can assist in having your charges reduced so you can put your public intoxication charge behind you.

The Law on Public Intoxication in Tennessee

In Tennessee, simply being drunk in public is not enough to be arrested. Instead, the State must also show you (1) may be a danger to yourself, (2) may create a danger to other people or property, or (3) “unreasonably annoy people in the vicinity.”

Unlike with a DUI arrest, the police usually do not test your blood alcohol levels or ask you to perform field sobriety tests, so it may be possible to challenge whether you are actually intoxicated in court, which you should discuss with your public intoxication lawyer.

While this offense normally involves intoxication from alcohol, a person could also commit public intoxication from drugs or other controlled substances, even if you have a legal prescription.

Consequences of Public Intoxication in Tennessee

If charged with public intoxication, you’ll be facing a class C misdemeanor, which is punishable by a maximum of thirty days in jail. You would also receive a conviction on your record that might stay with you the rest of your life.

While this is not a felony, having a criminal conviction for public intoxication can make it harder to get a job, especially since alcohol or drugs are involved in this offense.

What to Expect in Court

After being charged with public intoxication, you will normally be given a court date, at which point you will need your Nashville public intoxication lawyer to work on a defense that can hopefully help you dodge a conviction. There are several different defenses we can utilize should your case head to court.

Depending on the facts, our goal might be to convince the judge that you were not intoxicated, were not in public at the time, or were not a danger to yourself or others.

Alternatively, as your local Nashville public intoxication lawyers, we might try to show that you have received treatment or counseling and do not need further punishment or consequences from the court.

Though it may be tempting to defend yourself in court, having a highly trained public intoxication attorney pleading your case can increase your odds of avoiding a class C misdemeanor conviction. Hiring an attorney might also allow you to avoid coming to court in person depending on the circumstances, especially if you live out of town.

Consult with a Public Intoxication Defense Attorney in Nashville

Being drunk in public may seem innocent enough, but it’s against the law, and you can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law if the judge finds you guilty. When you want to leave this mistake in the past, speak with a Nashville public intoxication lawyer at Raybin & Weissman, P.C.

You can come in for a free consultation with our expert drunk in public defense lawyers today if you call our office at 615-256-6666 or fill out the online contact form we have included at the bottom of this page.