Manassas Drunk in Public Charge

A Manassas Drunk in Public Charge Under Prince William County Code §16-14 is A Misdemeanor

A Manassas Drunk in Public charge (Prince William County Code §16-14) criminalizes being drunk (or intoxicated) in public.  For purposes of a Manassas Drunk in Public charge, intoxication can be caused by alcohol or drugs-even prescription 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 is interpreted broadly and includes places in open view and visible to the community or public, including your own property.  As a result, a person can be convicted of a Manassas Drunk in Public charge if he is intoxicated on his own property, if that part of the property is visible to others.

An offender accused of being drunk in public in Manassas can be charged with violating Prince William County Code §16-14 or the Virginia Drunk in Public statute (Va. Code §18.2-388).

For more information on a Virginia Drunk in Public charge under Va. Code §18.2-388, click here.

Penalty for a Manassas Drunk in Public Charge

A Manassas Drunk in Public charge under Prince William County Code §16-14 is a crime.  While it is not punished with any jail time, the offender can be taken to the local jail and held until he has sobered up.  A Manassas Drunk in Public charge is a Class 4 misdemeanor which 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, pre-paying the fine is admitting guilt to the offense and will result in a conviction on the offender’s permanent criminal record.  A conviction for a Manassas Drunk in Public charge under §16-14 can never be expunged.

Additionally, a conviction for a Manassas Drunk in Public charge will bar the offender from obtaining a concealed carry permit for 3 years and if he has one, he must surrender his permit.

***DISCLAIMER: THE MATERIAL AND INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS POST, ON ANY PAGES ON THIS WEBSITE, AND ON ANY PAGES LINKED FROM THESE PAGES, ARE FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND NOT LEGAL ADVICE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT A LICENSED ATTORNEY IN YOUR JURISDICTION BEFORE RELYING ON ANY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THESE PAGES. SENDING EMAIL TO OR VIEWING INFORMATION FROM THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CREATE AN ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP***