Legal Definitions - culpable intoxication

CULPABLE INTOXICATION

Culpable intoxication is when a person becomes intoxicated voluntarily and then commits a crime. This is also known as voluntary intoxication.

Example 1: John drinks a lot of alcohol and then gets into a fight with someone. He injures the other person and is charged with assault. John cannot use his intoxication as an excuse for his actions because he voluntarily became intoxicated.

Example 2: Sarah takes drugs and then steals from a store. She is caught and charged with theft. Sarah cannot use her intoxication as an excuse for her actions because she voluntarily became intoxicated.

Culpable intoxication is when a person chooses to become intoxicated and then commits a crime. This means that they cannot use their intoxication as an excuse for their actions. The examples illustrate this by showing how John and Sarah both voluntarily became intoxicated and then committed crimes. They cannot use their intoxication as a defense because they made the choice to become intoxicated in the first place.