Open Container Law In Texas 2017
Possession by a person of one or more open containers in a single criminal episode is a single offense.
Open container law in texas 2017. Open container law texas. Possession by a person of one or more open containers in a single criminal episode is a single offense. According to the law 49 031 a 1 an open container means a bottle can or other receptacle that contains any amount of alcoholic beverage and that is open that has been opened that has a broken seal or the contents of. The open container law.
In texas a person violates the open container law if the person knowingly possesses an open container in a passenger area of a motor vehicle that is located on a public highway regardless of whether the vehicle is being operated or is stopped or parked. B a person commits an offense if the person knowingly possesses an open container in a passenger area of a motor vehicle that is located on a public highway regardless of whether the vehicle is being operated or is stopped or parked. December 10 2017 sr. Find a dwi attorney here.
It was still technically legal to possess an open container in an unlocked glove compartment or center. Don t drive with an open can or bottle in your vehicle even if you put the cork back in the bottle unless it is in the trunk or you are in a bus taxi or limo. Just about all drivers over the age of 16 in texas are well aware of the fact that driving under the influence of alcohol is illegal. Arkansas only adopted its open container law in 2017.
Texas open container law july 31 2017 by the zendeh del law firm pllc share. The original statute only made it illegal to drink alcohol in a vehicle. B a person commits an offense if the person knowingly possesses an open container in a passenger area of a motor vehicle that is located on a public highway regardless of whether the vehicle is being operated or is stopped or parked. If you do get cited for an open container contact a skilled defense attorney as soon as possible.
So how does texas open container law compare to say its neighboring states. Here is a brief rundown. Possession of more than one open container of alcohol by an individual in a motor vehicle. State of texas 06 17 00081 cr texapp dist 10 04 2017 after the trial court denied his motion to suppress appellant pled guilty to having possessed less than two ounces of marijuana.
First let s look at the definition of open container. Below we will take a look at the open container laws and discuss some potential penalties. Texas s open container law prohibits possession of an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle if the vehicle is located on a public highway it doesn t matter whether the vehicle is being driven is stopped or parked.