Washington County Disorderly Intoxication Lawyer
Whether you are facing charges for disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, or public intoxication, you may encounter unwanted consequences of your actions. Consulting a Washington County disorderly intoxication lawyer to discuss your options may be highly beneficial to you.
Intoxication may cause you to act in ways that you do not normally act, which, in turn, can lead to trouble. As a result, you are likely to need the assistance of a criminal lawyer when facing these charges.
Disorderly Conduct in Washington County
Maryland Code §10-201 prohibits individuals from intentionally acting in a disorderly manner that disturbs the public peace. As a disorderly intoxication lawyer in Washington County knows, other behaviors also may constitute disorderly conduct. Likewise, if individuals intentionally:
- Disobey a police officer who has ordered them to do something to prevent disturbing the peace
- Disturb the peace of people on their property or in public by acting in a disorderly manner or making unreasonably loud noises
- Blocking the access of others to a public place
- Acting in a way that is generally offensive or disturbing to others
The code section defining disorderly conduct covers various public areas in which people may be consuming alcohol, including restaurants, bars, hotels, and amusement parks. Public places also include locations in which alcohol is not readily available, but in which intoxicated persons might still cause a disturbance, such as stores, parking lots, streets, and parks. Other examples include swimming pools, schools, churches, as well as places to board different forms of transportation, such as airports and train stations.
Public Intoxication Charges in Washington County
Individuals commit the crime of public intoxication when they either are drinking alcohol or are intoxicated while in public, to the extent that they cause a public disturbance or endanger the safety of others or their property. Like disorderly conduct, public intoxication has a broad definition so that this charge covers a variety of situations.
For instance, people can face public intoxication charges when they are on a public street or sidewalk. They also may face these charges if they are drinking or intoxicated at a public sports arena during an athletic event or a music concert. These are public venues that tend to be full of both people and alcohol, which often results in public intoxication charges.
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct and Public Intoxication
Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor offense that carries the potential for up to 60 days in jail, a fine of $500, or both. Like disorderly conduct, public intoxication is a misdemeanor offense. However, the maximum jail sentence for a public intoxication conviction is 90 days in jail and a $100 fine.
Individuals who have been consuming alcohol often end up facing multiple charges, including disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Both disorderly conduct and public intoxication convictions create criminal records that will show up on background checks by employers and other agencies. A record of alcohol use and some degree of violence can be damaging to future employment opportunities. Getting the advice of a disorderly intoxication attorney in Washington County may help avoid these consequences.
Call a Washington County Disorderly Intoxication Attorney Today
Whether you are enjoying a professional sporting event with friends or celebrating at a bar, the consumption of alcohol can result in multiple criminal charges such as public intoxication and disorderly conduct. These code sections are sufficiently broad that they can encompass a wide range of behaviors that often stem from overindulgence in alcohol. Working with a Washington County disorderly intoxication lawyer may be the best means of preventing incarceration and possibly keeping criminal convictions off your record.