San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
When tempers are hot and alcohol mixed in, the resulting chaos can be quite serious. Bar fights are notoriously erratic, oftentimes leading to unanticipated consequences. In addition to the mental and physical outcomes, you could wind up with legal charges that might be a very unpleasant and life-altering part of the equation– one that you likely did not factor into your night out.
California Brawls in the News
Californians are not immune to drinking a little too much and then becoming involved in public altercations:
- A San Diego bar manager was killed after an angry man punched him because the manager had asked several patrons to leave the premises.
- After a political discussion erupted into an argument in a Laguna Beach bar, one man followed others out of a bar and ran them down with his car, causing serious injuries.
- An Anaheim bar fight involving 10 individuals resulted in five people sustaining stab wounds and lacerations after at least one person brought out a knife.
- After a man with formal boxing training was involved in an altercation with a drunken individual who became aggressive, the inebriated man was killed in a Laguna pizzeria/bar.
Possible Criminal Charges
These cases involve individuals who lost their cool and became involved in violent encounters. These individuals, and many other Californians in similar circumstances, may face charges, including:
- Disturbing the peace: Simply challenging someone to fight, as well as actually fighting in public, could result in charges (Penal Code 415) that could land you in jail for 90 days and stick you with a fine of $400.
- Battery: Penal Code 242 may be charged if violence or force is used against another person, which could put you behind bars for six months and tack on a $2,000 fine. That’s if there are no serious injuries. If a victim endures serious harm, felony charges could lead to four years of incarceration in state prison.
- Assault: Depending on the type of assault, an aggressor could face anywhere from six months in jail for simple assault to 25 years in prison if a weapon was used and a fine of $1,000-$5,000.
- Hate crime enhancements: Any of these sentences could be considered hate crimes if the victim was targeted based on race or sexual orientation, which could tack on another one to three years of incarceration.