Texas Public Intoxication in Bars Still Target for TABC
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After an outcry from tourism officials, the public and most notably Texas State Lawmakers over what TABC has labeled a "crackdown" on public drunkenness in bars, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission has agreed to begin conducting an internal investigation. This does not however, mean an end to the arrests undercover officers will still be ticketing and/or arresting bar patrons who are deemed exceedingly drunk. Public Intoxication is a Class "C" Misdemeanor and is punishable by a fine of $ 500.00 in Texas. More than 2,200 bar patrons or workers have been arrested or issued citations since August of last year. The purpose of this is to prevent people from getting drunk and hopefully lower the number of DWI's in Texas, especially in Austin. TABC has been doing stings in bars since 2001, but began doing more after getting additional funding from the Texas Legislature for about 100 more employees. Part of the reason this is causing such and outcry is because while there is a legal standard for DWI's, Public Intoxication is totally at the officer's discretion. There is to be a public hearing held regarding this issue on April 17th in Austin, Texas.
