Charged with Disorderly Conduct, Minor in Possession, or Public Intoxication while vacationing in Pensacola?

I WAS ON VACATION, AND I GOT ARRESTED…

The beautiful white sand beaches and blue-green waters of Pensacola on the Gulf of Mexico draw tourists from all across the country. Senior trips, spring break, and summer vacations bring countless people here to enjoy themselves. Unfortunately, the vacation does not always go as planned.

A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting in the Walton County Jail reception area waiting to visit a client. While there, a group of college kids from Mississippi walked into the booking area. They were there to post bail for one of their friends. The group had been at a club in San Destin the night before while on Spring Break. Apparently, their friend had too much to drink and was asked to leave the club. One thing led to another, and the police arrested him for Disorderly Conduct. As I was walking back to meet with my client, I heard one of them talking about how their friend would have to come back to Walton County to handle his case.

Luckily for him and you, if you are ever in a similar position, many cases just like this can be handled by your attorney without you ever having to come back to court. To begin, your lawyer can waive your arraignment – the first court date you receive. That saves you one trip right there. For the court dates that follow, your lawyer can file a “waiver of presence” so that you do not need to come back for those court dates either. Under Florida law, misdemeanor cases can be resolved through what is called a “plea in absentia.” If the defense and the prosecutor reach a deal, your attorney can prepare an affidavit that lays everything out. All you need to do is sign it, get it notarized, and mail it back. Your lawyer can then go to court and resolve everything without you being there.

There is a good chance that hiring a local attorney to handle these sorts of Disorderly Conduct, Minor in Possession, and Public Intoxication cases will be cheaper than the cost of all the traveling you would have to do.