Drunk in Public

[AirManLuke]

California

What entitles a police officer to arrest a citizen (21 or not) of disorderly conduct, also known as drunk in public. If i were walking down the street, back home from the bars, drunk, alone, could a police officer arrest me?? I can see if i was falling all over the place and causing trouble, but what if i was just walking a little funny, alone, minding my own business?

 

[xylene]

California

What entitles a police officer to arrest a citizen (21 or not) of disorderly conduct, also known as drunk in public. If i were walking down the street, back home from the bars, drunk, alone, could a police officer arrest me?? I can see if i was falling all over the place and causing trouble, but what if i was just walking a little funny, alone, minding my own business?

You were visibly intoxicated

And out in public

That is the criteria of the law.

The standard you expect - that of being a public nuisance and / or a danger to yourself or the public is a much higher level of intoxication than is required for a drunk & disorderly.

 

[CdwJava]

California

What entitles a police officer to arrest a citizen (21 or not) of disorderly conduct, also known as drunk in public. If i were walking down the street, back home from the bars, drunk, alone, could a police officer arrest me?? I can see if i was falling all over the place and causing trouble, but what if i was just walking a little funny, alone, minding my own business?

The officer need articulate the objective symptoms of alcohol or drug intoxication coupled with your apparent inability to care for yourself or the safety of others. If by walking "a little funny" you men staggering or stumbling, yes, you can be arrested for that.

- Carl