Will you have to go to court for getting arrested for peeing in public? if so what is the worst that will happen?

3 views 3 answers
My brother just got arrested for peeing in public at a bar. The cop pulled up and just said put your hand behind your back. I called the police station but they refused to tell me what exactly he was charged with other than that his bond is 200. what will he be charged with and will he need to go to court? or is it just a fine?

Attorney Answers

3
Joshua Jones 3823042.Html ·
It's hard to discern what exactly the prosecutor will charge, but its most likely going to be an indecent exposure or urinating in public charge. The exact crime charged, in most circumstances, will be based on who charges him, the state or the city. Cities tend to have more specific criminal ordinances, such as the urinating in public, than compared to the State. With regards to paying a fine or needing to go to court. He will likely have court hearing for this incident. Meaning an arraignment, pre-trial, etc. He should plead not guilty at the arraignment, hire an attorney, and get this taken care of. Ideally he should be in contact with an attorney before the arraignment, but sometimes that becomes difficult when sitting in jail waiting for arraignment. Best of luck to you and your brother.
0 upvotes
Aaron Jeffrey BoriaDUI / DWI AttorneyPlymouth, MIMI licensed ·
It could potentially be a misdemeanor meaning that it would end up on your criminal record for employers to see. You could get probation, and possibly jail however jail is unlikely on a first offense with no priors. If you were drinking when it occurred it is likely you will be ordered to take random alcohol tests and stay sober for a period of time.
0 upvotes
James Lawrence ·
I would expect him to be charged with indecent exposure, a misdemeanor carrying up to one year in jail, but for which probation is available. He will have to go to court. He probably will be ordered to attend an alcohol program, psychological counseling, or some other rehabilitation to reduce the odds that he will reoffend. He will have to comply with what is ordered. He should seek experienced counsel familiar with local conditions to guide him through this. If poor, he can ask the judge to appoint a lawyer. If he is charged by the city attorney with an ordinance violation, instead of by the county prosecutor with a state law violation, it is more likely he can get out of it by paying a fine, but it is up to the judge and, to some degree, to the prosecutor. A deal can often be made with the city attorney or county prosecutor to limit the defendant's punishment. If anyone says the words "sexually delinquent," that could mean they want to charge him with an offense carrying 1 day to life. That could be a very serious problem, requiring that he promptly get legal assistance. One good outcome for these types of cases would be a "plea under advisement," where the defendant pleads guilty, but the charges are dismissed if he completes probation successfully.
0 upvotes