March 13, 2015
For many, St. Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate Irish culture, spend time with family, and maybe enjoy a few drinks with friends. However, what starts as an innocent and fun night could easily turn into a trip to jail if you are not careful. Over the years, St. Patrick’s Day has become synonymous with binge drinking and debauchery. As such, police will be out on the look out tomorrow for those who may be enjoying the Irish festivities a little too much. Protect yourself and others by being aware of what kind of fun is ok and what can land you behind bars.
Drinking on the Street
With parades going on all over the country, one of the most common legal problems people face on St. Patrick’s Day is drinking on the streets, which could lead to an open container charge. In most cities across the country, it is illegal to consume alcohol on the street. This does not change just because it is a holiday. Think twice before drinking openly in public, and keep your alcohol inside.
Public Urination
On St. Patrick’s Day, the bars are always crowded and so are the restrooms. However, if you are looking for a quick way to empty out all that green beer you just chugged, you may want to think again before relieving yourself in public. Public urination can get you in trouble with the law. It is illegal in Florida and can land you in jail along with some hefty fines and other possible consequences.
Drunk Driving
As with many holidays, drunk driving skyrockets around St. Patrick’s Day. And the last thing anyone wants is to land in jail with a DUI. This is why you should always have a safe plan on how to get home for the night. If possible, have a designated driver to get you to and from the party or plan on staying the night with a friend who lives in walking distance. If things get a too out of hand, be sure you have the number for a taxi service or a ride sharing company such as Uber or Lyft.
Stay Safe and Have Fun
From all of us at the Khonsari Law Group, we wish you a happy, and safe St. Patrick’s Day! If you do run into any legal trouble this year, make sure you call KLG. We deal with a variety of legal issues and can assist you with your case. Click here to learn more about how KLG can help you, or call us to schedule a free consultation.