Fort Worth, TX Alcoholic Container Defense Attorney

Experienced Defense Attorney for Cases Involving Open Alcoholic Containers in Fort Worth

If police pull you over and discover a beer can, you could quickly find yourself charged with a criminal offense. Law enforcement may make the worst assumptions about you in cases such as these, even if there is an innocent explanation. With the help of a Fort Worth, Texas alcoholic container defense attorney, you can learn about your legal options and contest the charge in court.

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, we treat allegations involving driving while intoxicated seriously. We will review the traffic stop in detail and build a defense around the available evidence. This thorough approach has helped us earn the trust of our clients, as we have received over 400 5-star reviews.

Is It a Crime to Keep an Alcoholic Beverage in Your Vehicle in Texas?

Texas law makes it a crime to knowingly possess an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle located on a public highway. The vehicle does not have to be moving. A person can still be charged if the car is stopped or parked on a public road. The law focuses on whether the container was open and whether the person knowingly had it in the passenger area.

That does not mean every bottle or can in a vehicle is illegal. A sealed container is different from an open one. Texas law also draws a line between the passenger area and certain other parts of the vehicle, such as a locked glove compartment, trunk, or the area behind the last upright seat in a vehicle that does not have a trunk. Small details matter, and where the container was found, who it belonged to, and whether you even knew it was there can all affect the case.

What Happens if You Are Convicted of Possessing an Alcoholic Beverage in Your Vehicle?

Carrying an open alcoholic container in your car is a Class C misdemeanor in Texas. A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of up to $500. It is a criminal offense, even though it is a fine-only charge and does not carry jail time by itself.

People sometimes make the mistake of treating an open container ticket like a minor inconvenience. That can be dangerous. A conviction can still leave you with a criminal case result that may appear in criminal history systems or background checks.

That kind of record can create problems that last longer than the fine itself. Employers, licensing boards, schools, and landlords may take a dim view of any alcohol-related offense. Even when the charge seems minor, the consequences can follow you. That is one reason it is often worth fighting the case instead of simply paying the ticket and moving on.

Responding to Open Alcohol Container Charges in Fort Worth

A good defense begins with the facts. The state must prove that you knowingly possessed an open container in the passenger area of a vehicle on a public highway. If the alcohol belonged to someone else, if you did not know it was there, or if the container was not actually in the part of the vehicle covered by the statute, the prosecution may have trouble proving its case.

Mistake of fact can come up in some cases. For example, you may have believed the container was sealed, or you may not have realized another passenger left it in the car. Other defenses may involve questioning illegal traffic stops or weak police observations. Our lawyer can also look for inconsistencies in the officer's report or problems with how the citation was issued.

Meet With a Fort Worth, Texas Open Alcoholic Container Defense Lawyer

At The Meza Law Firm, PLLC, Attorney Edwardo Meza defends clients against alcohol-related charges. Call 817-732-6392 or contact our Fort Worth, TX open alcoholic container defense attorney to schedule a free consultation.