{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-388.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-388.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-388.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-388.html"}],"law_id":85045,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85045,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-388","catch_line":"Intoxication in public; penalty; transportation of public inebriates to detoxification center","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-237; 1960, c. 358; 1964, c. 434; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1979, c. 654; 1982, c. 666; 1983, c. 187; 1990, c. 965; 2020, c. 160.","full_text":"If any person is intoxicated in public, whether such intoxication results from alcohol, narcotic drug, or other intoxicant or drug of whatever nature, he is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. In any area in which there is located a court-approved detoxification center, a law-enforcement officer may authorize the transportation, by police or otherwise, of public inebriates to such detoxification center in lieu of arrest; however, no person shall be involuntarily detained in such center.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":304820,"text":"If any person is intoxicated in public, whether such intoxication results from alcohol, narcotic drug, or other intoxicant or drug of whatever nature, he is guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. In any area in which there is located a court-approved detoxification center, a law-enforcement officer may authorize the transportation, by police or otherwise, of public inebriates to such detoxification center in lieu of arrest; however, no person shall be involuntarily detained in such center.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":14633,"edition_id":1,"name":"Obscenity and Related Offenses","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:00","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:00","permalink":{"id":167843,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14633,"identifier":"5","token":"18.2\/8\/5","url":"\/18.2\/8\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14022,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Morals and Decency","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","permalink":{"id":167393,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14022,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/8","url":"\/18.2\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":81551,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-372","catch_line":"\"Obscene\" defined","url":"\/18.2-372\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-372","metadata":false},{"id":86006,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-373","catch_line":"Obscene items enumerated","url":"\/18.2-373\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-373","metadata":false},{"id":82506,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-374","catch_line":"Production, publication, sale, possession, etc., of obscene items","url":"\/18.2-374\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374","metadata":false},{"id":61326,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-374.1","catch_line":"Production, publication, sale, financing, etc., of child pornography; presumption as to age","url":"\/18.2-374.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.1","metadata":false},{"id":63653,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-374.1:1","catch_line":"Possession, reproduction, distribution, solicitation, and facilitation of child pornography; penalty","url":"\/18.2-374.1_1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":83319,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-374.1:2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-374.1_2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.1_2","metadata":false},{"id":83624,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-374.2","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-374.2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.2","metadata":false},{"id":77778,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-374.3","catch_line":"Use of communications systems to facilitate certain offenses involving children; penalties","url":"\/18.2-374.3\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.3","metadata":false},{"id":56184,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-374.4","catch_line":"Display of child pornography or grooming video or materials to a child unlawful; penalty","url":"\/18.2-374.4\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-374.4","metadata":false},{"id":82785,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-375","catch_line":"Obscene exhibitions and performances","url":"\/18.2-375\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-375","metadata":false},{"id":83162,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-376","catch_line":"Advertising, etc., obscene items, exhibitions or performances","url":"\/18.2-376\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-376","metadata":false},{"id":67022,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-376.1","catch_line":"Enhanced penalties for using a computer in certain violations","url":"\/18.2-376.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-376.1","metadata":false},{"id":59750,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-377","catch_line":"Placards, posters, bills, etc","url":"\/18.2-377\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-377","metadata":false},{"id":84687,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-378","catch_line":"Coercing acceptance of obscene articles or publications","url":"\/18.2-378\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-378","metadata":false},{"id":67563,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-379","catch_line":"Employing or permitting minor to assist in offense under article","url":"\/18.2-379\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-379","metadata":false},{"id":81187,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-380","catch_line":"Punishment for first offense","url":"\/18.2-380\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-380","metadata":false},{"id":64773,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-381","catch_line":"Punishment for subsequent offenses; additional penalty for owner","url":"\/18.2-381\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-381","metadata":false},{"id":72092,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-382","catch_line":"Photographs, slides and motion pictures","url":"\/18.2-382\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-382","metadata":false},{"id":70160,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-383","catch_line":"Exceptions to application of article","url":"\/18.2-383\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-383","metadata":false},{"id":66727,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-384","catch_line":"Proceeding against book alleged to be obscene","url":"\/18.2-384\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-384","metadata":false},{"id":74201,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-385","catch_line":"Section 18.2-384 applicable to motion picture films","url":"\/18.2-385\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-385","metadata":false},{"id":72244,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-386","catch_line":"Showing previews of certain motion pictures","url":"\/18.2-386\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-386","metadata":false},{"id":79274,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-386.1","catch_line":"Unlawful creation of image of another; penalty","url":"\/18.2-386.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-386.1","metadata":false},{"id":69532,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-386.2","catch_line":"Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another; penalty","url":"\/18.2-386.2\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-386.2","metadata":false},{"id":68125,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-387","catch_line":"Indecent exposure","url":"\/18.2-387\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-387","metadata":false},{"id":80972,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-387.1","catch_line":"Obscene sexual display; penalty","url":"\/18.2-387.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-387.1","metadata":false},{"id":85045,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-388","catch_line":"Intoxication in public; penalty; transportation of public inebriates to detoxification center","url":"\/18.2-388\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-388","metadata":false},{"id":65058,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-389","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-389\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-389","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80972,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-387.1","catch_line":"Obscene sexual display; penalty","url":"\/18.2-387.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-387.1","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":65058,"structure_id":14633,"section_number":"18.2-389","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-389\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-389","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-388\/","history_text":"<p>The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 358; in 1964, chapter 434; in 1975, chapters 14 and 15; in 1979, chapter 654; in 1982, chapter 666; in 1983, chapter 187; in 1990, chapter 965; in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0160\">160<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":74546,"section_number":"16.1-278.9","catch_line":"Delinquent children; loss of driving privileges for alcohol, firearm, and drug offenses; truancy","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-278.9\/"},{"id":71520,"section_number":"18.2-251.03","catch_line":"Arrest and prosecution when experiencing or reporting an overdose or act of sexual violence","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-251.03\/"},{"id":56622,"section_number":"18.2-308.012","catch_line":"Prohibited conduct","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-308.012\/"},{"id":85695,"section_number":"19.2-169.1","catch_line":"Raising question of competency to stand trial or plead; evaluation and determination of competency","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-169.1\/"},{"id":66444,"section_number":"19.2-169.2","catch_line":"Disposition when defendant found incompetent","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-169.2\/"},{"id":58970,"section_number":"19.2-327.15","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-327.15\/"},{"id":74660,"section_number":"19.2-392.12","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Sealing of offenses resulting in a deferred and dismissed disposition or conviction by petition","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-392.12\/"},{"id":57508,"section_number":"19.2-74","catch_line":"Issuance and service of summons in place of warrant in misdemeanor case; issuance of summons by special conservators of the peace","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-74\/"},{"id":62385,"section_number":"4.1-322","catch_line":"Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by interdicted persons; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/4.1-322\/"},{"id":62412,"section_number":"9.1-176","catch_line":"Mandated services; optional services and facilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-176\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":167949,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85045,"identifier":"18.2-388","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-388","url":"\/18.2-388\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-388\/","token":"18.2\/8\/5\/18.2-388","dublin_core":{"Title":"Intoxication in public; penalty; transportation of public inebriates to detoxification center","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-388","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section><p>If any person is intoxicated in public, whether such intoxication results from alcohol, narcotic drug, or other intoxicant or drug of whatever nature, he is guilty of a Class 4 <span class=\"dictionary\">misdemeanor<\/span>. In any area in which there is located a <span class=\"dictionary\">court<\/span>-approved detoxification center, a <span class=\"dictionary\">law<\/span>-enforcement officer may authorize the transportation, by police or otherwise, of public inebriates to such detoxification center in lieu of <span class=\"dictionary\">arrest<\/span>; however, no person shall be involuntarily detained in such center.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nINTOXICATION IN PUBLIC; PENALTY; TRANSPORTATION OF PUBLIC INEBRIATES TO\nDETOXIFICATION CENTER (\u00a7 18.2-388)\n\nIf any person is intoxicated in public, whether such intoxication results from\nalcohol, narcotic drug, or other intoxicant or drug of whatever nature, he is\nguilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor. In any area in which there is located a\ncourt-approved detoxification center, a law-enforcement officer may authorize\nthe transportation, by police or otherwise, of public inebriates to such\ndetoxification center in lieu of arrest; however, no person shall be\ninvoluntarily detained in such center.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 18.1-237; 1960, c. 358; 1964, c. 434; 1975, cc. 14, 15;\n1979, c. 654; 1982, c. 666; 1983, c. 187; 1990, c. 965; 2020, c. 160.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}