Public Intoxication

In North Carolina, public intoxication itself is not considered a crime. The police can take a drunk person home or to the hospital if they need medical attention. They can also hold a drunk person in jail only for 24 hours until they sober up, but for someone to actually get arrested for being drunk in public, specific requirements must be met. The person must be drunk in a public place and displaying one of these behaviors:

• Obstructing traffic
• Obstructing access to the sidewalk or a building entrance
• Causing physical altercations
• Yelling loudly or cursing at others
• Asking for money or anything else

If a person is intoxicated out in a public area and committing one of the above acts, then they can be placed under arrest. The person charged may end up in jail between one and ten days, or they may be fined up to $200 if this is only their first offense. The punishment could be worse if the accused has any prior convictions.

If you find yourself in jail after a night out drinking and need to make bail fast, call Big Mike at 919-934-5656. At Big Mike Bail Bonds, we understand everyone makes mistakes, and we’re here to help you.

SOURCES

https://www.browninglonglaw.com/library/being-drunk-and-disorderly-is-a-crime-in-north-carolina.cfm

https://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_14/Article_59.pdf