Public Drunkenness Charge Expunged Through Summary Diversion Program
You might’ve heard your parents say, “You should make the most of college.” However, more often than not, things don’t turn out as you expect, and soon enough, you may find yourself facing criminal charges!
And this was exactly the situation that one of our clients faced a few months back. A 28-year-old Ph.D student faced public drunkenness charges, due to which her academic career was at stake. But thankfully, she sought refuge in our experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyers, who didn’t just produce a strong defense but also got the case expunged.
Let’s explore this blog for more details.
Consequences for Public Intoxication
Public intoxication is a minor legal issue in Pennsylvania, provided that the alleged offender is not posing as a serious threat to the public. That’s why it is classified as a Summary Offense, which, in the legal landscape, refers to the least serious type of criminal offense.
That’s also the reason why summary offenses attract lighter penalties and fines when compared to more serious charges like a misdemeanor or a felony. A first-time summary offense attracts a $500 penalty, along with joining a community service program.
However, a summary offense like public intoxication can surely put your name on a criminal record! And this can further disrupt any potential career or academic prospects during your background checks.
The Incident that Triggered the Charges
Our client, a 28-year-old Ph.D student, had an existing anxiety issue, for which she was prescribed some new medications by her doctor. As briefed by our client, her doctor also warned her about the possible side effects of the new anxiety meds, which would get triggered upon drinking.
However, our client didn’t quite listen to the advice. According to her statement, she was too overwhelmed with the academic pressure and decided to take some steam off by visiting a local bar. And that was probably one of the biggest blunders of her life!
What she didn’t realize was that the side effects of the meds would be the reason behind all the trouble. She had a couple of drinks, and by the time the alcohol effects kicked in, she lost self-control. Not just that, but when she was requested by the bar owner to leave the premises, she allegedly slapped him. Naturally, the cops were called, and our client was charged with pubic drunkenness for her reckless behavior.
How Did We Manage the Outcome?
After our experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyers heard the briefing, they knew that the consequences of such charges would negatively affect the girl’s career. The client also requested that we get an expungement for her case.
There was only one way our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers could’ve handled this case- getting our client admitted to a summary diversion program. So, we ran a thorough background check on our client’s records to determine whether she was eligible or not.
Fortunately, this was her first offense, so she was eligible for the Summary Diversion Program. All she had to do was pay a fine of $200 and attend the four-hour-long class. Upon successful completion, the prosecution promised to expunge her case, which meant that she could now walk away freely.
The college and university years are your time to unfurl and discover your true potential. But you should also be mindful of even the most nominal mistakes, which might turn awry and lead you to face criminal charges, ultimately destroying your future.
So, if you’re facing charges of public intoxication, don’t hesitate to call our Pittsburgh criminal lawyers right away. Dial 412-387-6901 to book an appointment today!