Under what circumstances does a person commit public intoxication?

A person commits public intoxication when they pose a danger to themselves or others. This legal definition is primarily concerned with the safety implications of an individual's level of intoxication in a public setting. The law is designed to maintain public order and safety; therefore, when someone's intoxicated state endangers their well-being or the well-being of those around them, it triggers the legal threshold for public intoxication.

The focus is not solely on being in a public space or merely consuming alcohol; it specifically highlights the consequence of being intoxicated to the point of creating risks for oneself or others. This means that a person could potentially be inebriated without engaging in hazardous behavior and might not necessarily meet the criteria for public intoxication. Thus, simply being alone, causing a scene, or drinking in public does not inherently lead to a public intoxication charge unless it involves these safety concerns.