I just got a MISDEMEANOR for urinating in public?

[NewSc2]

Yeah, I know it's my fault for admitting that "i had to go" to the cop, but he was REALLY intent on giving me a DUI so I freaked out and stammered something much lesser out. I really thought pissing was just a citation, which I was willing to pay. Had I known it was a misdemeanor I wouldn't have opened my stupid mouth.

Anyway I think I will get a lawyer. It's not that I have a lot of money lying around but I can save a few hundred each month for peace of mind. Does anybody know what kind of a lawyer I would contact? I got the ticket in Orange County, CA.

 

[Dessert Tears]

Originally posted by: daveymark
this is what empty water bottles are for. Or, for folks like me with a wider girth, gatorade bottles. then there's no need to get out of the car or even stop driving.

Doesn't the back pressure (from air already in the bottle) cause problems?

 

[Deleted member 4644]

Originally posted by: NewSc2
Yeah, I know it's my fault for admitting that "i had to go" to the cop, but he was REALLY intent on giving me a DUI so I freaked out and stammered something much lesser out. I really thought pissing was just a citation, which I was willing to pay. Had I known it was a misdemeanor I wouldn't have opened my stupid mouth.

Anyway I think I will get a lawyer. It's not that I have a lot of money lying around but I can save a few hundred each month for peace of mind. Does anybody know what kind of a lawyer I would contact? I got the ticket in Orange County, CA.

THE BELOW IS *NOT* LEGAL ADVICE, AND I AM NOT A LAWYER. READ FOR ENTERTAINMENT VALUE ONLY.

You could look in the yellow pages -- for something this simple, almost any lawyer would do I think.

You need to decide if you are willing to lie or not (some people have suggested lying). Lying to a court is perjury, which is a felony.

You could possibly claim a "necessity defense" -- often used to justify things such as stealing from a forest cabin to avoid starving. The problem with this is that peeing in public may be a greater offense than peeing in your own car, and thus would not fall under the necessity defense. Maybe you could make a public health argument that peeing in public would be less dirty than peeing in your pants? lol..

See Model Penal Code 3.02

Not even sure if CA has a common law necessity defense.

You should ask a lawyer.

What code violation were you charged with?

 

[Tiamat]

at least you didnt get slapped onto the sex offender's list.

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Flatscan

Originally posted by: daveymark
this is what empty water bottles are for. Or, for folks like me with a wider girth, gatorade bottles. then there's no need to get out of the car or even stop driving.

Doesn't the back pressure (from air already in the bottle) cause problems?

Only if the seal is tight.

 

[mobobuff]

Kudos for being honest about what you were doing... but man, you could've BS'd your way out of that.

Fight it, I think it's worth it.

 

[clickynext]

When you're in court, say you have a bladder problem, and then step out and show everyone your wet pants. =D

 

[crt1530]

"I pulled over to take a call on my cell phone. I decided to take the opportunity to stretch my legs. I have not been drinking, but I'll consent to a breathalyzer test if it makes you happy, officer."

 

[miniMUNCH]

Originally posted by: crt1530
"I pulled over to stretch my legs. I have not been drinking, but I'll consent to a breathalyzer test if it makes you happy, officer."

Fixed

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: crt1530
"I pulled over to take a call on my cell phone. I decided to take the opportunity to stretch my legs. I have not been drinking, but I'll consent to a breathalyzer test if it makes you happy, officer."

or

"I felt a bit light-headed and decided to stop my car and get a breath of fresh air for safety reasons."

or "I had to fart really bad and I couldn't squeeze it out while I was sitting."