How serious is a public intoxication charge in Florida?

While disorderly conduct or disorderly intoxication might sound like a minor criminal offense compared to serious sex crimes or acts of violence, you shouldn’t underestimate how much this charge could impact your life. In the short term, you could be facing fines and potentially even jail time. Having a permanent criminal record can affect you, personally and professionally, for years. A public intoxication charge is a misdemeanor criminal offense, not simply a minor noncriminal infraction, and it’s worth hiring professional legal representation to help you navigate this issue.

What is the penalty for disorderly conduct or disorderly intoxication in Florida?

For both disorderly conduct and disorderly intoxication, potential penalties include fines of up to $500 and up to 60 days in jail. Habitual offenders arrested for repeat disorderly intoxication offenses could be committed to a mandatory treatment program for up to 60 days. Having a disorderly conduct or disorderly intoxication charge on your record could continue to affect you for years, appearing on background checks run by potential employers, landlords, and others.

Will I go to jail for disorderly intoxication or disorderly conduct? Are there alternatives to jail?

Jail time is a real possibility when you have been charged with disorderly intoxication or disorderly conduct, but it’s not a certainty. A strong, strategic defense can help you minimize jail time or avoid a prison term altogether. As an experienced criminal defense attorney, Brandon Dinetz can help you explore all avenues for defense, from putting forth compelling arguments to get the charges dropped or reduced to introducing mitigating factors and advocating for lenient sentences, such as community service. For disorderly intoxication charges, in particular, we can help you pursue alternatives like alcohol education programs that focus on rehabilitation.

How can I beat a disorderly conduct charge?

To beat a disorderly conduct charge, you need an effective defense strategy and a thorough understanding of how South Florida’s legal system works. The prosecutor must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you endangered people or property while intoxicated, that you made a drunken scene in public, or that you disturbed the peace, depending on the specifics of the charges against you. An effective defense introduces evidence in your favor, challenges the evidence against you, and highlights the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case. When determining whether to negotiate a plea bargain or identifying improper procedures that could get evidence against you suppressed, it helps to have professional legal counsel guiding your strategy.

Do I need a lawyer for a disorderly conduct or disorderly intoxication charge?

Although you could choose to represent yourself in this legal issue or to have a public defender represent you, it’s in your best interests to retain your own criminal defense attorney dedicated to protecting your interests. At BD Law, we’re committed to fighting for our clients’ futures. We conduct detailed analyses of their specific circumstances and develop personalized legal strategies to help them obtain the most beneficial outcome possible.

West Palm Beach Public Intoxication Lawyer | Disorderly Conduct Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL

Disorderly Conduct Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL Providing Strategic Defense Against Public Disturbance Charges Like Public Intoxication in Palm Beach County, Broward County, Martin County, and Throughout South Florida

In bars, restaurants, clubs, and other settings throughout West Palm Beach, both locals and tourists can wind up facing serious legal consequences that can result from drinking alcohol. As an experienced West Palm Beach public intoxication lawyer, Brandon Dinetz knows how quickly a fun evening out can lead to significant legal issues. Mistakes, bad decisions, and momentary lapses in judgment may accompany drinking alcohol, especially in excess—but even so, you deserve the full advantages that having a dedicated criminal defense attorney can provide.

At BD Law, we represent individuals accused of public intoxication, disorderly conduct, and related offenses. Your future depends on the strength of your defense, and the success of your defense depends on meticulous case preparation and smart, strategic planning.

Your path to navigating the legal process begins with a free, confidential consultation with an experienced disorderly conduct attorney in West Palm Beach, FL. Contact us today to get started.

Understanding Public Intoxication and Disorderly Conduct Charges in West Palm Beach, FL

The issues that can give rise to public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges range from failing to pay your bar tab to engaging in drunken altercations that put people or property at risk. These charges reflect allegations of violating specific statutes of state law—namely, Section 856.011 and Section 877.03 of Florida Statutes.

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Disorderly Intoxication Violations

Section 856.011 establishes the offense of disorderly intoxication, a violation that is generally charged as a second-degree misdemeanor crime. Conduct that constitutes disorderly intoxication includes:

Endangering the safety of another person or property while intoxicated
Drinking alcohol in a public place and causing a public disturbance

Disorderly intoxication is typically charged as a second-degree misdemeanor—a criminal offense punishable by fines and jail time.

Disorderly Conduct Charges

Charges involving disorderly conduct arise out of conduct that constitutes a breach of the peace. Under state law, these actions encompass:

Fighting or brawling
Affecting the peace and quiet of witnesses
Corrupting public morals
Outraging the sense of public decency

Unlike disorderly intoxication charges, disorderly conduct charges don’t require the prosecutor to prove alcohol consumption or intoxication. However, these charges are often filed in instances involving drunken behavior, including bar fights or loud displays of yelling and cursing in a public place.

Like disorderly intoxication, disorderly conduct constitutes a second-degree misdemeanor offense.

The Consequences of Getting Drunk in Public in West Palm Beach

If you’re facing charges of disorderly intoxication or disorderly conduct, the legal trouble you’re in is more serious than you might think. These offenses are often punished by a fine, which can be as high as $500. A conviction for these charges could send you to prison for up to 60 days.

Repeat charges of disorderly intoxication—occurring three times within 12 months—can result in classification as a habitual offender. Habitual defenders may be committed by the court to a treatment program for up to 60 days.

Even after you have paid your fine and served your prison sentence, a criminal conviction for disorderly intoxication or disorderly conduct can continue to affect you personally and professionally. Although misdemeanors are less serious offenses than felonies, they can still remain on your record, appearing in background checks conducted by prospective employers or schools, professional licensing organizations, landlords, and lenders. This one mistake or bad decision can limit your educational and professional opportunities and impact such serious personal matters as where you can live.

You need to avoid or minimize the consequences of disorderly intoxication and disorderly conduct charges as much as possible. That means hiring skilled legal counsel to put up a strong defense for you.

The Difference Having an Experienced Disorderly Conduct Attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, Can Make

At BD Law, we bring both extensive knowledge of legal nuances and practical, firsthand experience defending clients against disorderly intoxication charges to every client’s case. We recognize that mistakes and poor judgment happen, especially when imbibing alcohol, and that these brief lapses in judgment shouldn’t cost you your freedom or affect you for your entire life.

We handle all types of cases involving disorderly intoxication and disorderly conduct charges. Whether you accidentally forgot to pay your bar tab, got into a drunken brawl, or got arrested for making a loud public scene, we’re prepared to help you explore all options for your defense.

Our goal as your West Palm Beach public intoxication lawyer will always be to pursue the most favorable outcome possible for you. Depending on the circumstances, it may be feasible to get charges reduced or dropped completely. In other situations, we can put up a strong defense at trial or introduce mitigating factors at sentencing proceedings, arguing for lighter penalties. Having an experienced attorney on your side equips you with the knowledge and resources to analyze the full facts of your legal issue, fight to suppress any improperly obtained evidence against you, and develop an effective legal strategy.

How BD Law Can Help

You can count on BD Law to assist you with all aspects of your legal defense, so you can approach the criminal justice system with confidence.

We’re prepared to review the full facts of your situation, advise you on how to move forward, preserve your rights in all interactions with law enforcement and the court system, gather evidence in your favor, and present the strongest possible arguments on your behalf. At our firm, we take the time to develop customized strategies and help you understand all of your options, from seeking plea deals or alternative resolutions to arguing your case in court.

Why Choose BD Law as Your West Palm Beach Public Intoxication Lawyer?

When you need a West Palm Beach public intoxication lawyer who is committed to your defense, you need BD Law. Across South Florida, clients choose our firm based on the benefits of having a former prosecutor on their side, our commitment to unwavering advocacy, and the results we achieve for the accused.

Firsthand Knowledge of How Prosecutors Approach Public Intoxication Cases

In planning your defense strategy, it helps to know how the other side goes about building disorderly conduct cases. As a former Assistant State Attorney at the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, Brandon Dinetz understands what factors can strengthen the case against you and how to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s arguments. This combination of experience as both a former prosecutor and a criminal defense attorney with a record of securing successful outcomes for clients provides the full extent of legal knowledge needed to manage your defense successfully.

A Willingness to Advocate Aggressively for You

When you’re facing charges of disorderly conduct, you need to know there’s someone in your corner who is prepared to fight relentlessly for you. At BD Law, we’re here to protect your rights and interests throughout every stage of the legal process, ensuring fair treatment under the legal system.

A Proven Record of Results for Clients Accused of Significant Offenses

Every case is unique, but knowing that your defense is in the hands of a firm with a history of securing successful outcomes can provide much-needed peace of mind as you face the legal process. We have gotten charges dismissed, negotiated reductions in charges and sentences, challenged unlawfully obtained evidence, secured not-guilty trial verdicts, and successfully argued for lighter penalties during sentencing hearings. Throughout your case, you can count on us to help you understand what outcomes are realistic and what paths forward offer you the most promising outcomes possible.

Contact a West Palm Beach Public Intoxication Lawyer at BD Law Today for a Free Case Review

When facing criminal charges, a delay in bringing on professional legal representation can weaken your case and undermine your defense strategy. You need strong, skilled legal counsel now to help you avoid common mistakes, begin developing your defense, and understand all of the options available to you. We provide a free initial consultation that ensures everyone accused of a crime in South Florida has the opportunity to discuss their situation with an experienced attorney.

For help from a disorderly conduct attorney in West Palm Beach, FL, contact BD Law online or call 561-778-5213 today.