Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

public urination

I received a ticket for public urination outside a bar late at night. I urinated in front of a building just 20 feet down the street from the bar. The operator of the establishment saw me do it, called the cops and made what the officer called a ''citizens arrest''. I denied everything to the officer, even when she questioned if a lab test would confirm the liquid on the pavement to be my urine. Is this a common, reliable practice for them to determine if I did urinate in public. If it can be proven, what are the consequences? If its a small fine, no big deal. I have heard it can be as worse as having to register as a sex offender. Please respond promptly as I weigh my options. Thank you for your time.


Asked on 9/08/07, 3:08 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Anne Marie Healy Law Offices of Anne Marie Healy

Re: public urination

In addition to Mr. Hoffman's response, I would add: Why make this a bigger case than it needs to be? Sometimes, the D.A. will add charges because those charges will be negotiated off the complaint in exchange for a guilty plea to the actual offense. Then, you will have the charges on your record, even if they were dismissed. You should consult with an attorney. And do you really want to pay to go to trial, when it's a small infraction?

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Answered on 9/09/07, 4:18 pm
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

Re: public urination

Offhand I don't know whether there is such a test or how reliable it is. I can tell you that public urination is a far less serious offense than those leading to registration as a sex offender.

Now the bad news. You may have made your situation *much* worse by lying to the officer instead of keeping your mouth shut.

Making false statements to a police officer is a far more serious offense than public urination. If they can prove your guilt -- which is quite possible based upon the owner's testimony even if there is no lab test -- they've got you on both of these charges.

Get a lawyer right away.

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Answered on 9/08/07, 3:23 pm


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