Hermosa Beach, Drunk in Public, Reduced to Infraction

It was only about 8:45 p.m. Our client, age 33 and from Texas, had been watching the World Cup soccer matches (U.S. versus Cuba in particular) at a downtown Hermosa Beach bar. He had consumed many beers, but felt capable of walking back to his hotel, which was up on Pacific Coast Highway several blocks away.


Busy Street in Hermosa Beach

Summary: Client arrested for public intoxication after witnesses allegedly reported him stumbling around on the sand near the Hermosa Beach Pier. Client from Texas and returned there after being released from custody. Case resolved for an infraction for disturbing the peace with the misdemeanor public intoxication charge dismissed.

They asked him where he was heading and he described the Holiday Inn, a good half mile away up Pier Avenue and then off Pacific Coast Highway.

The police realized they need to take him into custody for his own safety because if left to his own judgment, he might stumble in front of a car or pass out on the way to the hotel, if he ever figured out how to get there.

They did not, it should be noted, take him to the cab pick-up area and assist him in getting into a cab to the Holiday Inn. Instead, they arrested him. After all, Hermosa Beach is not like other areas.

Our client was held at the Hermosa Beach City Jail until he sobered up the following morning. He was booked and assigned to a cell. He was ultimately released the next morning out the front door.

The client then returned to home in Texas, from which he called Greg Hill & Associates. He spoke with Greg about his memorable visit to Hermosa Beach and his souvenir, a Notice to Appear in court in about two weeks. Greg listened to the client describe the events of the night and how he had a prior public intoxication conviction from Arizona five years earlier.

Torrance Courthouse

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