Question about being drunk in the passengers seat?

casualtr97

you're gonna sober up pretty quick because you're walking home.

beverly

It depends on where you are, how far you are from home, and (not surprisingly) your attitude.

In most cases that I know of (including my department) when the driver is arrested and a passenger is intoxicated, the passenger is allowed to make other arrangements (including calling a taxi) to get home safely. We do not allow them to walk home because there is a considerable liability involved should anything happen to them (or should they do anything illegal) while impaired. We will often make the call ourselves to a family member (or taxi service) depending on the impairment of the individual.

If no arrangements can be made, the next step depends on exactly how impaired the party is. Sometimes the Officer may give them a ride; however, if there is no adult at the target residence who can accept responsibility then the individual may need to be taken into custody.

Throw in some attitude and the entire picture changes. The Officers have a considerable amount of leeway in deciding how far they will go to assist someone and how much time they are willing to give them to make other arrangements.

The short story is, if you are intoxicated but you remain cooperative and respectful and politely request that you be allowed to have someone pick you up (AFTER the Officers are done arresting the driver) then it is highly likely they will let you go (unless you have a warrant for your arrest or some other pending charge).

|â–’â–’Kebert Xelaâ–’â–’|

He isn't "buzzed"
he is Drunk Driving.

Don't give it a nice little term....."your friend" and people like him are responsible for an insane amount of accidents, injuries, and deaths, every day.

You, more than likely, won't be in trouble. But you should feel like an idiot for letting your friend put himself, you, and innocent motorists in danger.

Kemo sabe

Be sure you say nothing or as little as possible.

Don't provoke the cop or you may be "interfering" with the cop, or be arrested for drunk and disorderly.

Be cool, be calm.

McMeth

you get to walk home

AtotheD

It really depends. If you are being belligerent to the officer you can get taken in for public intox (seen it happen). Sometimes they will just tell you to call a friend to pick you up.

And YES you can get taken into jail for being a passenger. Nice try....but I worked in a jail for 2 1/2 years and I have seen more then one person that was brought in under these conditions.

jake

You may be hauled in just to protect yourself.
You also might be charged with PI. Public Intoxication, a fine.
Maybe a night in the slammer.

Rock Firestorm

Hilarious - Jake is incorrect - another bad guess by someone who has no idea what they're talking about. You're not going to get "hauled off for public intoxication." You've done nothing illegal. You will be walking home, that's it. Remember, most people here are passing off bad guesses as answers.

Marcus

You will go to jail (most likely).

Obviously in this situation, as a drunk passenger you haven't broken any written laws (despite proving your stupidity), in any municipality or state I know of. However, as soon as you get out of the car (to, say, walk home), you are publicly intoxicated, which IS against the law in many, many places. At which point the officer is at his discretion to place you under arrest.

Given the budgetary situation of most municipalities/ local governments, I would expect to spend the night in jail, and have to pay the fine.

In short, you're screwed... unless the cop is a buddy from high school.

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