Disorderly Intoxication Attorney in Melbourne

Defending Disorderly Intoxication Florida Charges in Brevard County

If you were arrested or issued a notice to appear for disorderly intoxication in Central or Eastern Florida, it is in your best interest to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy defends clients in communities throughout Volusia County, Brevard County, Indian River County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County.

Melbourne criminal defense lawyer Bryan McCarthy can fight to possibly get your criminal charges completely dismissed

What is Disorderly Intoxication?

Disorderly intoxication involves an alleged offender endangering public safety or causing a public disturbance while he or she is under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Public drunkenness and disturbing the peace offenses fall under “disorderly intoxication” as well.

In most cases, disorderly intoxication is a misdemeanor offense, but repeat convictions can result in an alleged offender’s court-ordered commitment to a treatment center. In some cases which do not involve any additional actions by alleged offenders, people who are arrested predominantly for being loud or vulgar may be able to challenge a disorderly intoxication arrest based on words or statements alone as violating his or her free speech rights.

Florida Disorderly Intoxication Charges

Florida Statute § 856.011 establishes that no person in Florida can do either of the following:

• Be intoxicated and endanger the safety of another person or property; and
• Be intoxicated or drink any alcoholic beverage in a public place or in or upon any public conveyance and cause a public disturbance.

Chapter 29.1 of the Florida Jury Instructions states that the term intoxication is synonymous with “drunk.” The Jury Instructions define intoxication as meaning “more than merely being under the influence of an alcoholic beverage,” instead meaning an alleged offender “must have been so affected from the drinking of an alcoholic beverage as to have lost or been deprived of the normal control of either his or her body or his or her mental faculties, or both.”

What are the Penalties for Disorderly Intoxication Florida?

Disorderly intoxication is a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. An alleged offender who has been convicted three times in 12 months can be deemed a habitual offender, and the court can commit him or her to an appropriate treatment center for up to 60 days.

It is important to note that disorderly intoxication is a completely separate offense from the crime of disorderly conduct. Under Florida Statute § 877.03, a person commits disorderly conduct (or breach of the peace) if he or she commits such acts as are of a nature to corrupt the public morals, or outrage the sense of public decency, or affect the peace and quiet of persons who may witness them, or engages in brawling or fighting. Disorderly conduct is also a second-degree misdemeanor.

Disorderly Intoxication Resources in Florida

AA Space Coast | Brevard Intergroup Inc. — AA is the abbreviation for Alcoholics Anonymous, the organization that describes itself as “a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.” On this website, you can find help if you have a drinking problem, learn more about AA, and view a calendar of upcoming events. You can also access a meeting schedule with dates and times of meetings in the Brevard County area.

Brevard Intergroup Inc. 
720 E. New Haven Ave., Suite 3 
Melbourne, FL 32901 
(321) 724-2247

Find a Disorderly Intoxication Defense Lawyer in Melbourne, FL

Were you arrested in Eastern or Central Florida for disorderly intoxication? Do not say anything to authorities without first contacting Law Offices of Bryan J. McCarthy.

Bryan McCarthy is an experienced criminal defense attorney in Melbourne who represents residents of and visitors to numerous locations in and around Brevard County, such as West Melbourne, Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Satellite Beach, Titusville, Viera, and many others.