St. Paddy's Day 2016: Avoid the Paddy Wagon

Saint Paddy’s Day 2016 falls on March 17, which is a Thursday. All across the United States, many people will be drinking in celebration of the patron saint of Ireland. When celebrations involve the consumption of alcohol, numerous individuals find themselves involved with law enforcement. When law enforcement intervenes there is a good chance that criminal charges will be filed, especially when the intervention is a result of alcohol use on St. Paddy’s Day.
Even if you do get arrested for DUI on Saint Patrick’s Day or another criminal offense after drinking too much, it is not the end of the world. There are many defenses to crimes and with the assistance of a knowledgeable and experienced criminal defense attorney you may not be convicted or you may not have to serve jail time. Below are three of the most common criminal charges that are filed as a result of St. Paddy’s Day drinking celebrations.
Public Intoxication: Although each state generally defines public intoxication differently, there are common elements of the crime. The crime of public intoxication involves being in a public place while under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both. In some cases, a person need not be legally drunk in order to be arrested for to be arrested or convicted of the crime.
Public Urination: Urinating in public is generally a crime. When one is charged with public intoxication it is not uncommon for the charges of public intoxication and indecent exposure to be added on. If you are going to go out drinking on St. Paddy’s Day, you definitely want to avoid urinating in public.
Driving Under the Influence: Like other drinking intense holidays, law enforcement will be stepping up traffic enforcement on St. Paddy’s Day. There will likely be several DUI checkpoints in all major cities across the United States. Patrol officers will be looking for motorists driving erratically, having trouble staying in a lane, and exceeding the speed limit. If you are caught driving under the influence on St. Patrick’s Day, you will likely be arrested and you could lose your license as well as face jail time and hefty fines.
If you are arrested and charged with a crime as a result of drinking in celebration of St. Paddy’s Day, our criminal defense attorneys are here to help. Call us at (559) 233-5333 or email us today to schedule a free case evaluation with an attorney at Hammerschmidt Law Corporation.