Distinction Between Drunk in Public and DUI

California law distinguishes between being drunk in public and driving under the influence according to a Long Beach Drunk in Public Attorney that specializes in the crime. There is a greater showing of intoxication necessary to convict on public intoxication than there is the driving charge, the standard is such a state of drunkenness that the person can no longer care for himself or the safety of others versus simple impairment to an appreciable degree for DUI.