Drunk in Public Charge in Manassas

A Drunk in Public Charge in Manassas is a Crime

A Drunk in Public charge in Manassas under Prince William County Code §16-14 criminalizes being drunk or intoxicated in public.  Intoxication can be caused by alcohol or drugs-even medication.  A person is “intoxicated” when he has consumed enough intoxicants to observably affect his manner, disposition, speech, muscular movement, general appearance or behavior.

The term public includes places in open view and visible to the public, including your own property.  As a result, a person can be convicted of a Drunk in Public charge in Manassas if he is intoxicated on his own property.

If a person is charged with being drunk in public in Manassas, he can be charged under Prince William County Code §16-14 or the Virginia Drunk in Public statute (Va. Code §18.2-388).

Click here for more information on a Virginia Drunk in Public charge under Va. Code §18.2-388.

Penalty for a Drunk in Public Charge in Manassas

A Drunk in Public charge in Manassas (Prince William County Code §16-14 or Va. Code §18.2-388) is a crime.  While it is not punished with jail, the offender can be taken to the local jail and held until he has sobered up.  A Drunk in Public charge in Manassas is a Class 4 misdemeanor.  It is punished with a fine up to $250.  The fine can be pre-paid, which means the offender does not need to appear in court.  However, paying the fine before court is an admission of guilt to the offense and will result in a conviction on the offender’s permanent criminal record that can never be expunged.

Additionally, a conviction for a Drunk in Public charge in Manassas will prohibit the offender from obtaining a concealed carry permit for 3 years and if he has such a permit, he must forfeit it when he is convicted.

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