[onlooker]

Looks like you cant get drunk in a bar in Texas. You and the server can get arrested for it. That just surprised me when I heard about it. The law enforcement usually waits down the street of bars to pick you up, not just go right into the bar and arrest you for public intoxic.

So how many times has this happen to you John?

I heard this on the radio yesterday driving home and had to find a article on it.

March 23, 2006, 8:10AM

Public intoxication stings catch 2,200 in Texas bars
TABC officials say drive is aimed at reducing DWIs


More than 2,200 people have been arrested in Texas bars in the six months since the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission announced a crackdown on public intoxication, primarily targeting bars.

The arrests included people who were drunk in bars, who sold alcohol to a drunk person, or a drunk employee on the premises of a bar or restaurant with a license to sell alcohol, said Carolyn Beck, a spokeswoman for the TABC.

The commission has been responsible for enforcing the state's alcoholic beverage code for the past 70 years. In August, 2005, the agency announced it was beginning a crackdown on public intoxication, using both undercover and open operations.

The agency has used undercover agents before, Beck said. In a recent operation, agents infiltrated 36 bars in a Dallas suburb and arrested 30 people for public intoxication.

"The laws in Texas against public intoxication also apply to bars," Beck said. "Texas has the highest DWI rate in the nation, and we are trying to reduce those rates."

The TABC also is trying to "encourage licensees" to serve patrons responsibly, Beck said.

Part of the problem with enforcing the state's code regulating alcohol sales is "people still think that a bar is place to go get drunk," Beck said. "People can go into bars and have fun with their friends and not become intoxicated to the point whether they may become a danger to themselves or others."

People arrested for public intoxication "are not people who had a couple of beers with dinner. They are people who are so drunk that they caught the attention of a TABC agent," Beck said.

TABC agents have the discretion to cite the person for public intoxication and release them to "a responsible party." Or, a person who is so drunk "that they may be a danger to themselves or others" can be arrested and taken to jail, Beck said.

While customers are being questioned, another TABC agent is taking steps to arrest and take to jail the employees responsible for selling alcohol to an intoxicated person, Beck said.

In the Houston area, the TABC is conducting an enforcement program called Operation "Last Call," said Sgt. Mike Barnett, that is "designed to reduce the number of DWIs."

"The program, in a nutshell, is designed to keep the streets safer by reducing the numbers of DWI offenders," he said.

[Pistol Pete]

This is absolute Bullshit!!! I bartend here in Texas and this really pisses me off! They have problem taxing the bar owners like crazy and now they want to make sure everyone is afraid to go out and drink.

This may not be such a big deal but they are going out undercover doing this. Trust me if this thing begins making alot more money for texas police department, soon all other states will do the same. This is just like them trying to stop online gambling. Mind your own ******* business!!! You would think a president that use to love getting wasted would cut his own state a little slack.

[bigboydan]

the prick better not drink too many of those champaign coolies, or he will be felt up... i mean fvcked over by some cop.

[Willie Bee]

"Texas has the highest DWI rate in the nation..."

Woo-hoo! We're number 1!

This new-age Puritanism really blows I certainly don't want some liquored up mofo slamming into me on the highway. But putting undercover drunk patrols in bars is stepping over the line. If they're going to do that, then put cops inside McDoodoo fast food joints and ticket every 5-foot-5, 400-pound welfare lardass for driving up health care costs with their daily diet of double pounders with biggie size fries.

[Dark Horse]

Another step towards the police state the neocons have in mind. Nothing surprises me anymore.

[bigboydan]

texas is the same state that tried to outlaw cheerleading contests too last year. wtf are texas lawmakers thinking

[Illusion]

Isn't this intrapment? If I ever got arrested in a bar for public intox I would fight it to the bitter end.

[pags11]

what a bunch of crap...as long as you aren't driving or bothering anyone I don't see why they care...

[MrX]

Isn't this intrapment?

Only if the undercover agent buys you a beer.

[onlooker]

Hey John, since I see you on the boards.

Im not sure how much you go to bars, but have you noticed any thing like this down there in Texas? Ever seen someone get arrested in a bar for getting drunk in it? Pretty screwed up if you ask me.

[SBR_John]

What most folks dont realize is Texas is a big state...its bigger than France for example.

Laws like that are enforced in the big cities not in the other 95% of the state. Texas was the last state to make it illegal to drive and drink. It was perfectly legal to drink and drive when I was in my 20's. The US govt threatned to with hold highway funds if a law wasn't passed. But like I said, seat belts, public Intox that goofy law you mentioned, ect., not enforced not even close.