Man Arrested for Public Drunk in a Local Georgia Grocery Store

A man was arrested this past weekend in a grocery store in Cobb County.

According to authorities, the man was arrested for harassing a teenager and soliciting her for sex. Officers also had evidence to suggest that the man was under the influence of alcohol. He was arrested on charges of enticing a minor as well as public intoxication.

As a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I am very familiar with Georgia crimes that involve drugs and alcohol - this includes when vehicles are not involved such as public intoxication and minor in possession in Georgia.

In today's post, I will outline the law behind public intoxication in the state of Georgia - also known as public drunk.

Public Intoxication in Georgia

Public intoxication, also referred to as public drunkenness in Georgia, is defined by state law in O.C.G.A. § 16-11-41 as:

A person who shall be and appear in an intoxicated condition in any public place or within the curtilage of any private residence not his own other than by invitation of the owner or lawful occupant, which condition is made manifest by boisterousness, by indecent condition or act, or by vulgar, profane, loud, or unbecoming language, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Being convicted of public drunkenness can result in up to 12 months of jail time as well as fines up to $1,000.

On top of the state law cited above that encompasses public drunkenness, many municipalities and counties enact local ordinances that criminalize similar behavior.   Local ordinances can strip away the requirement that the arrested person act in an indecent condition or act, or by vulgar, profane, loud, or unbecoming language. 

Moreover, local ordinances can simply make being impaired and in public the crime in and of itself.

Practice Note

If you or a loved one has been arrested, call us now.