Legal Question in Criminal Law in Virginia

I recently received a Public Intoxiaction Class IV Misdemeanor charge. I was caught urinating in public but was cut a deal and only received the drunk in public charge. Is it more beneficial to just pay the fine or to go to the court date to possibly be let off. If there is a chance I can have the case dismissed I would love to, especially since I am going to school to work at a children's hospital and would not want this to hinder anything, but I don't know if dismissal is realistic, or if I could get into even more trouble going to court when they see I was urinating in public. What is the protocol? And would I plea guilty if I did go to court?


Asked on 11/21/11, 6:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

If you're going to go to court, it should be for the purpose of contesting/negotiating the DIP charge and, if such is the case, then it would be best to have an attorney experienced with criminal matters in the court involved to represent you.

Otherwise, it likely makes more sense to just pay the fine and forget about

appearing in court.

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Answered on 11/21/11, 8:40 pm


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