Under what condition can a person not be guilty of public drunkenness?

A person cannot be guilty of public drunkenness when they are involuntarily intoxicated because this condition removes the element of willful conduct from the equation. Involuntary intoxication occurs when an individual consumes alcohol or drugs without their knowledge or against their will, such as being drugged without consent. Consequently, since public drunkenness laws are typically predicated on the concept of voluntary choice and behavior—where a person consciously decides to consume substances—the lack of choice due to involuntary intoxication means that the individual cannot be held responsible for their state. This aligns with the legal principle that accountability generally requires intentional or voluntary actions, and involuntary intoxication negates that requirement.

In contrast, consuming alcohol at home, being in a public gathering, or being invited by another person do not provide legal defenses against public drunkenness. These situations can still lead to public intoxication charges if the person later becomes intoxicated in a public space, as the intent and voluntary nature of consuming alcohol are present.