Disorderly Intoxication in Florida
For the most part, Disorderly Intoxication is a catch-all crime used by law enforcement to arrest people who are acting unruly.
If accused of Disorderly Intoxication, you need to know the:
- Definition of Disorderly Intoxication
- Penalties for Disorderly Intoxication
- Defenses to Disorderly Intoxication
Definition of Disorderly Intoxication
The crime of Disorderly Intoxication can be committed in one of two ways:
- When a person is intoxicated and endangers the safety of another person or property; or
- When a person is drinking or intoxicated in public and causes disturbance.
Penalties for Disorderly Intoxication
The crime of Disorderly Intoxication is a Second Degree Misdemeanor. If convicted of Disorderly Intoxication, a judge can impose any combination of the following penalties:
- Up to sixty (60) days in jail.
- Up to six (6) months of probation.
- Up to $500 in fines.
Defenses to Disorderly Intoxication
In addition to the pretrial and trial defenses that can be raised in any criminal case, specific defenses to the crime of Disorderly Intoxication include:
Minor Nuisance or Annoying Activity
If a person is intoxicated or drinking in a public place, but is little more than a minor nuisance or annoying, such conduct will not support a Disorderly Intoxication conviction.¹
Private Place
So long as an intoxicated person does not endanger the safety of another, the person may be as intoxicated, and cause as much of a disturbance, as they would like at a private place they were invited too if the place is not generally open to the public. ²
Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby
If you have been arrested or charged with the crime of Disorderly Intoxication in Orlando or Central Florida, please contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Richard Hornsby today.
The initial consultation is free and I am always available to advise you of the proper course of action that can be taken.
