Hermosa Beach, Chelsea Pub, Drunk in Public, Trespassing

Police arrived and did not find our client doing any of these things.  However, they found our client sitting on the curb, straddling a puddle of vomit.  When asked who vomited, our client told police it was him.

In 30 Words or Less:  Client arrested by Hermosa Beach Police Department after 911 calls reported a drunk man standing in the middle of the street and antagonizing passerbys.  Police find client sitting on curb near puddle of his own vomit.  Case resolved for trespassing, which client appreciated because he did not want a third conviction for a crime with stigma of alcohol being involved.

Police began speaking with him and allegedly, our client could not tell the police what city he was in, could not find his cell phone and could not tell the police how he was going to get home.

At this point, police arrested our client for public intoxication and took him to the Hermosa Beach Police Department for an alleged violation of Penal Code § 647(f), public intoxication.

Under Penal Code § 647(f), it is illegal for someone to be so intoxicated that he or she does one of two things.  First, the person violates § 647(f) by obstructing those on a public thoroughfare, such as a road, a sidewalk, public stairs, etc.  Second, the person is so intoxicated that he or she is unable to care for his own well-being.
 
Under Penal Code § 836(a)(1), an arrest for a misdemeanor must be based upon the officer observing the violation, subject to many exceptions.  Here, none of the exceptions applied.  The officers never observed our client obstructing traffic or heckling those passing by.  However, they allegedly saw our client sitting down and being quite drunk and allegedly unable to care for his own well-being.

The client called up Greg Hill & Associates about his arrest.  He explained that he had two prior alcohol related offenses, one a DUI in 2010 in San Bernardino, and another conviction from Texas involving being a nuisance.  He said he could not have a third such offense or he would lose his job.

Greg explained how he would attempt to negotiate the case to a resolution for violating Penal Code § 415, disturbing the peace, or trespassing, Penal Code § 602(m).  Greg further explained that if the prosecutor was aware of both of his prior convictions, he may not be able to get such a favorable disposition.

At the arraignment, Greg appeared in the Torrance Superior Court and reviewed the file materials.  The Redondo Beach City Prosecutor handling the case for the City of Hermosa Beach was aware of our client’s prior DUI, but had not read the client’s criminal history thoroughly.  She was unaware of our client’s case from Texas, which was described in the materials she had.

Greg became aware of this when he began discussing the case facts with her.  He therefore suggested a resolution to disturbing the peace, which the prosecution rebuffed as too lenient because our client was quite drunk (at least drunk enough to vomit in public).  Greg thus suggested a plea bargain to trespassing, Penal Code § 602(m), which the prosecutor agreed to, quite fortunately.

The plea bargain did include thirty-six months of summary probation, as well as a $150 fee, plus penalties and assessments (about $515 total), and payment of the City of Hermosa Beach Booking Fee ($349).
 
The client was relieved to resolve the case without a conviction that suggested further alcohol use, which meant he would be able to keep his job.  He was happy.

For more information about public intoxication issues, please click on the following articles:

1. What Punishment Do I Face for Public Intoxication (PC 647(f))?
2. What Is Trespassing (Penal Code § 602)?
3. I Was Arrested for a Misdemeanor, but the Officer Never Saw Anything – Is This Illegal?
   

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