Public Intoxication Law in Manassas
April 17, 2022 by Jean Humbrecht
The Public Intoxication law in Manassas under Prince William County Code §16-14 criminalizes being intoxicated (or drunk) in public. The offense is a Class 4 misdemeanor and is punished with a fine and a prohibition on having a concealed carry permit for 3 years. The fine for violating the Public Intoxication law in Manassas can be pre-paid without going to court. However, paying the fine is an admission of guilt and will result in a conviction on the person’s permanent criminal record just as if the person was convicted in court. Convictions in Virginia can never be expunged.
Manassas Public Intoxication Law
For purposes of a Manassas Public Intoxication charge, intoxication can be caused by alcohol or drugs-even a valid 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 in open view and visible to the community or public, including someone’s own property. This means that someone can be convicted of Public Intoxication in Manassas if he is on his own property.
An offender accused of public intoxication in Manassas can be charged with violating the Manassas Public Intoxication law under Prince William County code §16-14 or the Virginia Public Intoxication law under Va. Code §18.2-388.
Click here for more information on a Virginia Public Intoxication charge under Va. Code §18.2-388.
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