Public intoxication arrests often catch people off guard—leaving Five Points bars after celebrating a USC victory, walking from Vista restaurants to your hotel, or waiting outside Williams-Brice Stadium when police suddenly handcuff you.
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What seems like harmless social drinking transforms into criminal charges in Columbia, South Carolina carrying jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record appearing on every background check. Law enforcement throughout Richland County aggressively patrols entertainment districts, college areas near USC campus, and event venues, making arrests based on subjective observations about your coordination, speech, or behavior that may have nothing to do with alcohol.
Matthew McGuire has defended public intoxication cases throughout all 46 South Carolina counties for over 30 years, understanding these arrests often involve officer overreach, medical conditions mistaken for intoxication, or situations where you weren't bothering anyone. Call (888) 499-5738 immediately—McGuire Law operates 24/7/365 because public intoxication arrests demand urgent response.
Public intoxication cases often involve constitutional violations, medical misidentification, and officer subjectivity. Winning requires an attorney who challenges every aspect of the prosecution's case.
Identifying Fourth Amendment violations when officers stopped you without articulable suspicion you were committing crimes beyond appearing drunk.
Proving diabetes, neurological conditions, medications, or other health issues explain your appearance and behavior—not intoxication.
Demonstrating you weren't "unable to care for your own safety" because you had planned transportation or were taking responsible actions.
Obtaining and analyzing officer body camera and dashboard footage showing you were cooperative and not endangering yourself or others.
Negotiating pretrial intervention programs allowing first-time offenders to avoid convictions through community service and compliance.
Understanding the legal elements helps identify defense strategies. Prosecutors must prove specific facts—not just that you were drinking.
Makes it a misdemeanor to be found in an intoxicated condition in public places where you're unable to care for your own safety.
Means you're under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any substance to a degree making you a danger to yourself or others.
Officers need only prove you appeared intoxicated in a public place—no breathalyzer, blood test, or specific BAC level is required.
Up to $100 fine and/or 30 days in jail, though most first offenses result in fines and court costs—plus permanent criminal record.
The statute requires you be unable to care for your own safety—merely being drunk in public without endangering yourself shouldn't qualify.
Officers have broad discretion determining whether someone is "intoxicated" based on subjective observations of behavior, speech, and coordination.
Officers frequently arrest without giving opportunities to call rides, demonstrate you can safely leave the area, or explain medical conditions.
Public intoxication charges threaten your record, career, and reputation over incidents that often don't warrant criminal punishment. Our values ensure aggressive protection of your rights.
Fighting to keep your record clean through dismissals, diversions, or alternative resolutions that prevent permanent criminal history entries.
Identifying and challenging every Fourth and Fifth Amendment violation from unlawful stops to coerced statements without Miranda warnings.
Immediately requesting body camera footage before automatic deletion on 30-90 day retention schedules—critical evidence supporting your defense.
Working with physicians to document conditions that explain your appearance and behavior when diabetes, medications, or other health issues are involved.
Moving cases efficiently to minimize disruption to your life, employment, and education while still fighting for the best possible outcome.
Law enforcement aggressively targets entertainment districts and event venues throughout Columbia. Understanding where arrests commonly occur helps identify defense strategies.
Bar district arrests as USC students and patrons leave establishments on Harden Street, Devine Street, or surrounding entertainment areas.
Nightclub and restaurant area when Columbia Police patrol Gervais Street, Lincoln Street, and nearby locations after 2 AM closing times.
Tailgating and post-game arrests targeting Gamecock fans celebrating or drowning sorrows after USC football games.
Concert and event attendees leaving shows stopped by police patrolling surrounding streets and parking areas.
University police arresting students outside dormitories, fraternity houses, or campus facilities during weekend nights.
Main Street and surrounding areas where people walking between venues, waiting for rides, or using public transit face scrutiny.
Public intoxication charges seem minor but create permanent records affecting your future. Matt McGuire's aggressive defense challenges every aspect of these subjective arrests.
Demonstrating your behavior was reasonable, you were walking to a safe location, or arranging transportation when arrested.
Presenting physician testimony, medical records, or prescriptions validating alternative explanations for your appearance and behavior.
Attacking arrest location by showing you were on private property, in hotel parking lots where you were staying, or areas not truly "public."
Presenting testimony from friends, rideshare drivers, or establishment employees contradicting officer claims about your condition.
Negotiating pretrial intervention allowing first-time offenders to avoid convictions through community service and compliance.
Many medical conditions produce symptoms identical to alcohol intoxication. Officers without medical training wrongly arrest people experiencing health emergencies.
Permanent criminal record on background checks, professional license complications, USC disciplinary proceedings, immigration consequences, and enhanced penalties for subsequent offenses.
Public intoxication charges raise important questions about your rights and options. Here are direct answers to common concerns.
No. Officers can arrest based solely on their subjective observations of your behavior, speech, and coordination—no chemical testing is required.
This is a strong defense. If you were taking responsible actions to get home safely, you weren't endangering yourself—a required element of the offense.
Yes, if convicted. Even misdemeanor convictions create permanent records appearing on employment, housing, and professional license background checks.
Medical conditions explain your appearance provide strong defenses. We work with physicians to document diabetes, medications, or other conditions causing your symptoms.
Often yes, through constitutional challenges, medical defenses, or pretrial diversion programs. Early attorney involvement dramatically improves outcomes.
It can. Criminal convictions trigger university disciplinary proceedings potentially affecting housing, scholarships, and academic standing. Avoiding conviction is critical.
No. Paying a fine is pleading guilty, creating a permanent criminal record. Always consult an attorney before accepting any consequences.
With over 30 years of experience defending South Carolina, McGuire Law provides elite legal representation with national recognition. McGuire Law has grown from a small practice into one of the most trusted law firms in South Carolina. We understand that legal issues can be overwhelming, whether you're facing criminal charges, dealing with injuries from an accident, or navigating family law matters.
McGuire Law is committed to each client's unique situation, and we don't believe in boilerplate solutions. Every case requires careful analysis, strategic planning, and aggressive representation. Our firm combines over 30 years of experience with cutting-edge legal strategies to achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
McGuire Law serves all 46 South Carolina counties. We know these counties, their courts, their legal communities, and most importantly, the people who live here. This local knowledge, combined with our legal expertise, gives our clients a significant advantage.
Matt McGuire received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of South Carolina.
Matt has served as a law clerk for a State Circuit Judge, an Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Carolina, and an Assistant Solicitor in the Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office.
Matt is a proud husband, father of two, and a long-time resident of Richland County, South Carolina.
Don't plead guilty without exploring your options. Our firm has defended public intoxication cases throughout all 46 South Carolina counties for over three decades with a statewide reputation for protecting clients' rights.
If you're facing public intoxication charges in Columbia or anywhere in Richland County, contact Matt McGuire immediately at (888) 499-5738 for experienced criminal defense representation. With over three decades defending cases throughout all 46 South Carolina counties and a statewide reputation for protecting clients' rights, our firm fights to keep your record clean. Don't plead guilty without exploring your options—call now, chat online, or schedule your free consultation. We're available 24/7/365 because your future matters.
