Manassas Public Intoxication Charge

A Manassas Public Intoxication Charge is a Crime

A Manassas Public Intoxication charge (Prince William County Code §16-14) criminalizes being drunk or intoxicated in public.  For purposes of a Manassas Public Intoxication charge, intoxication can be caused by alcohol or drugs-even a prescription.  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 visible to the community or public, including someone’s own property.

An offender accused of being intoxicated 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 Public Intoxication charge under Va. Code §18.2-388, click here.

Penalty for a Manassas Public Intoxication Charge

A Manassas Public Intoxication charge under Prince William County Code §16-14 is a crime.  It is not punished with any jail time, but the offender can be taken to the local jail and held until he has sobered up.

A Manassas Public Intoxication charge is a Class 4 misdemeanor and is punished with a fine up to $250.  The fine can be pre-paid, meaning the offender does not need to appear in court to contest the charge.  However, pre-paying the fine is an admission of guilt to the offense and will result in a conviction on the offender’s permanent criminal record.  A conviction for a Manassas Public Intoxication charge can never be expunged.

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

***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***